chased leaders, jumped left throughout, disputed 2nd from 12th, hampered 6 out, soon weakened, tailed off from 4 out, remote 4th
made all, jumped clear 3 out, driven next, rider lost irons after last, ran on strongly
tracked leaders, disputed 2nd from 12th, edged right approaching 6 out, under pressure 3 out, no extra after last
tracked leaders, blundered 5 out, rallied 3 out, stayed on into 2nd just after last, no chance with winner
Kings Temptation, a winner here in May, has been slowly working his way back into form and has solid claims in this small field, though SUPREME STEEL (NAP) is just preferred. Though last of two finishers on his chasing bow at Perth and beaten 30 lengths, the Newland gelding will know more today and won off this mark over hurdles a couple of years ago. Winning pointer Stage One is still lightly raced under Rules but needs improvement and veteran Al Co is hard to catch right nowadays.
Al Co (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake and lost place 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Kings Temptation 7-1 (11-3) Led 1st, raced keenly, headed approaching 6th, chased winner, went badly right 15th, no chance from next, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Mr Mafia (11-3) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Supreme Steel (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Chased leaders, left 2nd before 9th, no impression on winner 3 out, not fluent and weakened next, 2nd of 5, 30l behind Amalfi Doug (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Aug.
Stage One (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Behind, some headway when hit 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, dist behind Home Place (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
