prominent, led 13th, under pressure and headed before 3 out, weakening when fell 2 out
towards rear, blundered 1st, ridden along 10th, behind when fell 11th
tracked leader, lost touch after 10th, soon tailed off
prominent, joined leader 13th, led before 2 out, stayed on well
mid-division, headway 12th, stayed on and left 3rd 2 out, never able to challenge
towards rear, blundered 6th, never on terms
held up in mid-division, headway to chase winner 2 out, stayed on but not able to challenge
led, blundered 8th, ridden and headed 13th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last
held up behind, ridden along after 12th, stayed on from 2 out, never nearer
Martin Pipe's Mondial Jack has been difficult to win with this term and faces no easy task giving weight away all round so preference is for Lacdoudal, who gets the vote ahead of Liberthine. The last mentioned represents the stable of Nicky Henderson that has been rather quiet of late and is probably best watched although he does have claims on the evidence of his reappearance second at Windsor. Peccadillo is a capable performer and has gone well here before so cannot be discounted, while Run For Paddy has slipped to a fair mark and has claims, if fit enough, for his first run of the season. Three Days Reign fell early last time but judged by his previous effort looks to be in the grip of the handicapper now and of more interest may be the Philip Hobbs-trained Cameron Bridge. The nine-year-old was well held at Newbury when last seen in November but his earlier form is solid and the son of Camden Town is used to carrying big weights. The vote though goes to stablemate Lacdoudal. The six-year-old has shown progressive form in novice events and looks to be reasonably well handicapped for his debut in a handicap. Richard Johnson prefers Lacdoudal to Cameron Bridge and that further increases confidence in the youngster.
