chased leaders, hit 7th, ridden to challenge from 2 out, ran on to lead post
keen, chased leader to 7th, ridden and every chance from 2 out, ran on
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, headway 2 out, weakened last
in touch, outpaced 3 out, rallied 2 out, not fluent last, one pace flat
pulled hard, held up, jumped left 2nd, lost touch from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, ridden 2 out, headed post
It is hard to be dogmatic in races of this nature but Kimono Royal has plenty of scope for improvement and is selected in preference to the penalised Honest Endeavor, while Rainbow Tree and Oscars Vision escape any form of similar burdens, as their victories came in bumpers. The latter was very disappointing on his latest start though and arrives here with a little to prove after that performance. The transition to hurdles may bring about improvement but a watching brief is advised today. Similar comments apply to Rainbow Tree, whose debut form was let down by the runner up at Bangor last week. Honest Endeavor had shown very little before defeating a warm favourite at Hexham and needs to prove that was not just a one off performance. So a process of elimination brings us back to Kimono Royal, who makes his second start over timber in public today. His previous effort was very encouraging, as he faced some fairly useful rivals for a contest of that nature at that time of the season. Alan King is not one to send his horses out when they are not ready to do themselves justice, so a bold bid is expected from Kimono Royal here.
