held up, headway and slightly hampered 3 out, ridden 2 out, ran on strongly flat, just failed
took keen hold, always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden and hit 3 out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, mistake last, weakened flat
behind, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, edged left flat, just held on
mid-division, headway 6th, jumped right 3 out, ridden 2 out, one pace flat
Pearl King can bounce back to winning ways at the expense of Hatch A Plan, Nesnaas and Earl Of Spectrum to name but three. Pearl King looked one to follow when opening his account over hurdles at the first time of asking at Huntingdon in August, but the former Michael Jarvis inmate failed to add to his tally at Market Rasen, the suspicion being that he really needs faster ground. There should be no excuses on that score here, and despite having to shoulder topweight, he is taken to get back to winning ways. Hatch A Plan was beaten a short-head at Wincanton recently, with the third horse 16-lengths away, so although it was not a great race, he has to be considered. Nesnaas has racked up a sequence of placed efforts and does not appear to be too badly handicapped so is another for the short-list along with Earl Of Spectrum who has claims on earlier form. Pearl King has more scope than the rest, given his fair Flat form, and he can take this before being aimed at a slightly more expensive event.
Pearl King (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Held up, headway 4th, chased leaders next, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 12, 21l behind Freeloader (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
Boulevin (IRE) 18-1 (10-9) Held up, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 14, 38l behind Double Vodka (11-0) at Aintree 2m nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Hatch A Plan (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway on bit approaching 2 out, challenged last, led flat, every chance, headed post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Avesomeofthat (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) frm.
Earl Of Spectrum (GER) 25-1 (10-7) Led, mistake 2 out, headed soon after and weakened, 7th of 15, 18l behind Accumulus (10-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gf.
General Smith 14-1 (11-5) Behind, headway approaching 4th, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 4th of 15, 11l behind Optimum (9-9) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Nesnaas (USA) 9-4fav (11-1) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace to go 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Avesomeofthat (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) frm.
Secret's Out 20-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Ericas Charm (11-5) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
