raced keenly, soon led and clear, reduced lead when headed 2 out, chased winner, ridden and beaten between last 2, well held when left in clear lead last
chased clear leader 2nd, closed to lead 2 out, clear between last 2, well in command when fell last
3rd from 5th, pushed along and outpaced 2 out, left modest 2nd last
led briefly, chased winner until 2nd, blundered 4th, dropped to last next, well outpaced 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 9th
Veteran chaser Portrait King faces his easiest task for some time but lacks the scope of a couple of today’s rivals. Heart Of Kernow impressed over 2m4f here on only his second career start and should relish the extra but MONSIEUR ARKADIN has the form in the book and might be the one to beat if handling the surface.
Heart Of Kernow (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, led 4th, headed 3 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Sep beating Viognier (10-9) by 6l, 6 ran.
Monsieur Arkadin (FR) 1-6fav (11-0) Led sole rival, clear from 2 out, coasted home, won at Carlisle 3m 1f (4) gd in May beating Oriental Fixer (11-0) by 14l, 2 ran.
Portrait King (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Never better than mid-division, outpaced from 3 out, 13th of 30, 23 1/2l behind Vicente (11-10) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gd in Apr.
Beyondtheflame 40-1 (10-7) Led early, chased winner until before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 35 3/4l behind What Happens Now (12-0) at Hexham 2m 7f (4) gd in Aug.
