led to 2nd, led again approaching 4th, not fluent next, headed 8th, regained lead after 9th, headed and mistake 4 out, one pace from next
held up in touch, headway 7th, led 4 out, ridden after 3 out, soon in command
held up in touch, not fluent 2nd, ridden approaching 7th, lost touch next
led 2nd until approaching 4th, weakened after 8th
with leaders until 2nd, prominent, led 8th, headed after 9th, one pace when not fluent 3 out, took 2nd near finish
Gus des Bois has fewer doubts concerning his current form than the other four runners and Robert Alner's gelding gets the vote over Imaginaire and Papua. The last mentioned, a winner at Uttoxeter last month has subsequently disappointed at Wincanton and the 10-year-old is probably best watched today. Michigan Blue has claims on his best but has been off the track for 704 days and it is impossible to know how much ability he retains, while Coral Island was well held behind long standing maiden Sossus Vlei at Plumpton on his return and can hardly be recommended on that evidence. Of more interest may be the Venetia Williams-trained Imaginaire, who has been dropped 2lbs since a below par effort on his reappearance. The son of Quest For Fame is entitled to strip fitter for that outing but needs to if he is to get the better of the selection. Gus des Bois is hardly in great form himself but placed efforts at Towcester and Plumpton on his last two outings represent better recent form than that of any of his rivals and Gus des Bois may only need to reproduce the form of either of those starts to win this.
