mid-division, hit 2nd, some headway 11th, one pace
led to 7th, mistake 10th, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 9th, chased winner briefly approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, lost place 7th, weakened 10th
held up and behind, hit 5th, hampered next, always behind
held up in rear, never near leaders
chased leaders, ridden approaching 9th, weakened after 4 out
always prominent, led 7th, headed after 10th, no impression on winner from 2 out
held up and took keen hold, headway 6th, led after 10th, easily
chased leaders, blundered 6th, lost place 10th, never dangerous after
behind, jumped left from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Spring Grove is selected to win the feature race on the card ahead of Idealko, Day du Roy and last year's winner Skycab. Spring Grove is very experienced over fences now, and is not at all badly handicapped on form of old. A winner at Warwick in January, Robert Alner's charge ran very well at Newbury three weeks ago, only weakening on the run-in after holding every chance. That was over three miles and the drop back in trip is the key to his success here as he seems a much more potent threat over this sort of distance. Idealko gets lumps of weight from the selection and has been second three times in his last four starts, so looks an obvious candidate for the frame along with Day du Roy, who is back over fences after three outings over timber, a ploy that has protected his chase mark. Skycab has not been in top form of late and came down at Bechers first time round in the National. He has done it before here though and it would not surprise us if he did go close to capturing the prize again. Fear Siuil goes well here and makes most appeal of the rest, but Spring Grove is the pick.
