tracked front pair, pushed along before 3 out, soon outpaced, held when not fluent 2 out
chased leader, pushed along approaching 3 out, disputed lead approaching 2 out, ridden and headed just after last, ran on but no extra
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, hit last, kept on one pace
held up in last, headway to dispute lead approaching 2 out, ridden and led just after final flight, stayed on well to assert run-in, won going away
Balko Saint may finish closer back at this lower level and Mengli Khan may improve for the return to this shorter trip. Wild Max has tumbled down the weights but never threatened when third at Newbury last time and MIDNIGHTS LEGACY is preferred. The latter has had a couple of outings on the Flat since finishing runner-up at Kempton when last over hurdles and further progress is expected now handicapping for the first time.
Balko Saint (FR) 9-1 (10-6) Soon off the pace towards rear, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Cormier (10-7) at Kelso 2m hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Wild Max (GER) 15-2 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, switched left after 2 out, driven and 1 length down last, soon 3rd and held, weakened inside 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 7 1/4l behind Black Poppy (10-6) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Mengli Khan (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Led, 10 lengths clear before 4th, not fluent 5th, reduced lead after 4 out, headed and pushed along 3 out, well held from before 2 out, 3rd of 5, 18 1/4l behind Thunder Rock (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Midnights Legacy 28-1 (9-9) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 9 1/4l behind King Of The South (9-13) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
