held up in rear, headway 4 out, effort and chance 3 out, outpaced next, stayed on under pressure run-in to go 2nd near finish
held up in touch, headway 3 out, led last, ridden out
tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed last, no extra run-in
held up in rear, headway after 3rd to track leaders, every chance 4 out and 3 out, outpaced 2 out, kept on one pace run-in
led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after next
An uninspiring contest that can go to Fairy Skin Maker, who makes a fair amount of appeal at the likely prices and is selected over Colorado Falls - a surprise winner on the Flat three days ago. However, his hurdles form has dipped since he chased home Chivalry here in January and he now has a little to prove. Out of the rest: Prince Among Men has a fair bit to prove with the selection on the revised terms and, like Sovereign State, will need to post greatly improved form to take this today. While it will be interesting to note if Envious attracts any support on his first start for 234 days. The likelihood is that he will need the run though, and the more solid option appears to be Fairy Skin Maker. The Geoff Harker-trained gelding is 8lb higher than for his course and distance success at the start of last month and, thus need to be on the ball to score again today. However, he will be suited to racing this way around again and his price is expected to be too tempting to ignore in this company.
