held up, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader and keen, blundered 3 out, soon ridden, chased winner last, kept on but no impression
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led next, soon clear, blundered last, ran on well
held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, mistake next, hit 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
led, ridden and headed 3 out, 2nd and beaten when blundered last
Astronomic was a faller early on last time but is worth another chance on the evidence of his previous defeat of the useful Marcel and gets the vote ahead of Baby Run and Turpin Green. The last mentioned has done nothing wrong so far following up his debut success with victory over Rebel Rhythm at Aintree when last seen. While the runner-up that day has let the form down subsequently the third, Mount Clerigo, has won twice since to give it a timely boost. The Nicky Richards-trained gelding should be suited by the testing conditions and rates a bigger threat than Martin Pipe's Kingston Town, who will go on the ground and receives weight all round but looks more exposed than most of his rivals. Malcolm Jefferson's Roman Ark has shown progressive form, including under testing conditions, and has to be considered along with the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Baby Run, who is closely matched with the selection on a line through Marcel. However, Astronomic has a touch of class about him and is taken to give weight away all round.
