chased leader, led 8th, ridden and headed before 4 out, one pace from 2 out
held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, ridden and not quicken from 3 out
prominent, chased leaders 8th, ridden 11th, went 2nd 3 out, stayed on from 2 out
led to before 8th, led again before 4 out, pushed clear approaching last, readily
If Pharaway Citizen wins the previous race, the Venetia Williams-trained Pharpost is bound to be popular among backers off just a 2lb higher mark than when chasing home Tom George's gelding at Newbury last month. Athnowen has claims on his recent form but is, along with County Flyer, 6lbs wrong at the weights. Hiers De Brouage has shown little sign of encouragement in two starts since winning at Wincanton in December. The Philip Hobbs-trained Native Fling returned to winning ways when beating the useful yardstick Asparagus in heavy ground at Chepstow in January. The faster conditions here are not certain to suit though so the vote goes to Stormhill Stag, who has plenty going for him. Richard Lee's gelding is a course and distance winner, can race off the same mark as when second to the well handicapped Rudolf Rassendyll at Chepstow last month, goes on the ground and hails from a stable in form.
