led, mistake 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on but no chance with winner
in touch, jumped well to go 2nd at 5th, joined leader soon after 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out, soon clear, comfortable
held up in rear, ridden and weakened 3 out
always in rear
chased leader, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up in rear, ridden and weakened 3 out
In what looks a three-horse race on paper, Dariak is selected ahead of Ohana and King's Head. Of the trio mentioned, Dariak makes the most appeal judged on his back-to-back victories at Ludlow and Wincanton this year, on both occasions showing that he goes well on fast ground. Bred by the Aga Khan, he has only had nine career outings, and there is surely more to come with conditions still in his favour. Ohana is going the right way but still looks far from the finished article judged by the way he jumped when second at Plumpton, while King's Head disappointed badly when sent off as an odds-on favourite against the selection at Wincanton last time. The rest are simply not good enough, and although having to shoulder a penalty, it is hard to escape the solid claims of Dariak.
Dariak (FR) 7-1 (11-1) Chased leader, led after 2nd, ridden and quickened clear after 2 out, edged left flat, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gf beating Lester Leaps In (11-1) by 9l, 8 ran.
Classic Gold (GER) 33-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, brief effort 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up 2 out in race won by Cathedral Rock (11-1) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar, 13 ran.
Good Cause (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Soon led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 20, well behind Hollywood Law (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Nov.
You Me And Theboys 16-1 (11-4) Behind, headway 7f out, ridden into 3rd 3f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Blackthorn Boy (11-4) at Fontwell 1m 6f nhf (6) gf in Apr.
King's Head (IRE) 8-11fav (10-8) Prominent, ridden in 3rd approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 20l behind Dariak (11-1) at Wincanton 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Ohana 33-1 (10-2) In touch, ridden and hit 3 out, chased clear leader next, not fluent and one pace last, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Otage De Brion (11-2) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Think Lucky 9-2fav (8-9) Broke well, tracked leader, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 16, 8l behind Spunger (8-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Sept '05 (Flat).
Jollie Abilola 33-1 (9-10) In touch, weakened over 4f out, 6th of 9, 29l behind Sam McCoombe (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gf in Apr.
