mid-division, headway 7f out, not much room on inside and lost place 6f out, not clear run over 4f out, still in 8th 2f out, kept on well from over 1f out, nearest finish
raced keenly, led, headed well over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden to chase winner 1f out, soon hung left, no impression
towards rear, headway 6f out, challenged going well 3f out, led over 2f out, stayed on well
in rear, ridden halfway, soon behind, tailed off
in touch, raced keenly, pushed along 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
mid-division 4f, weakened halfway, tailed off
in touch, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace
mainly 2nd until led briefly well over 2f out, one pace final furlong
raced keenly, prominent, ridden and weakened over 4f out
held up, effort 5f out, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, hung left from halfway, struggling final 4f
in rear, progress 6f out, ridden 4f out, kept on same pace
started slowly, reluctant, soon well tailed off
Georgian King can defy his penalty against Simonside, with Ballaroyale and Northern Lad expected to make their presence felt. Alan King is biding his time with Georgian King no doubt, as the Market Rasen bumper winner hails from the family of top chaser Brown Chamberlin. He will be going over hurdles this term, but hopefully will be fit enough to remain unbeaten here. Simonside made all at the Lincolnshire track more recently, but he too has a penalty that puts him on the same weight as the selection, and that is a tough ask. Ballaroyale was fancied on his Warwick bow back in January, but could only finish third and is best watched, while Northern Lad was a promising third at Haydock on his only start last November and is from a decent family. They appear to be the main contenders in the finale, with preference for Georgian King.
Georgian King 7-2 (10-8) Held up, headway 7f out, ridden to go 2nd over 2f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Apr beating Issaquah (11-0) by 1l, 15 ran.
Simonside 8-1 (10-11) Made all, quickened pace 7f out, stayed on strongly from over 1f out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Sept beating Foxspur (11-0) by 3l, 12 ran.
Ballaroyale (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Soon in touch, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 19, 8l behind Freddie The Third (10-7) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Broomhill Flyer (IRE) Heron Island gelding out of an unraced mare.
Bushwalk Polish Precedent horse out of an unraced mare.
Danseur d'Orage (FR) Roakarad gelding, half-brother to winning chaser Bel Ombre.
Dear Oh Dear 20-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs til unseated rider in race won by Monalease (11-7) at Tabley 3m ptp gd in May, 14 ran.
Hilal 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, never dangerous, 11th of 18, 46l behind Schiehallion (11-0) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (4) hvy.
Oh Braga (FR) April Night gelding out of the French maiden Braga.
Partly Cloudy 25-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden 6f out, soon struggling, 12th of 17, 43l behind Abstinence (10-1) at Wetherby 2m nhf (6) gf in Apr.
Pivolant (FR) Nononito gelding, half-brother to winning jumpers Joly Bey and Key Phil.
Radmores Revenge 33-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, tracking winner after 1f, hung left from halfway, ran wide and lost 2nd 5f out, unsteerable when slipped up in race won by Flemish Invader (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nhf (5) gs in Oct, 7 ran.
River Danube Dansili colt out of winning stayer Campaspe.
Sharrabella Shahrastani filly out of an unraced mare.
Ruby Crown Rakaposhi King mare out of a lightly-raced mare.
