made all, pushed clear 2 out, hit last, eased flat
in touch, mistake 5th, hit 7th, soon outpaced, kept on flat
held up, headway 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on flat, went 2nd towards finish
held up, headway to chase winner approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat
keen, chased winner to 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off when mistake 2 out
behind, headway after 6th, ridden and hung left approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mistake 3rd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up and dismounted after 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, one pace
Nonrunner
The two recent bumper winners True Star and Nelson's Spice could fight out the finish here and we will side with the last named, L'Eau du Nil may do best of the rest. Jonjo O'Neill's charge was successful a fortnight ago, getting up to beat Marlowe by three-quarters of a length. He led on the bit in the final furlong and had plenty in reserve. He could be decent recruit to this game and looks the one to be on. True Star is easier to assess as he slaughtered his rivals in a bumper last month. No doubt he will have been well schooled by his capable trainer and he looks the obvious threat to the selection. L'Eau du Nil went close on numerous occasions last season and could get into the places. The pick of the remainder could be Capt Jack, but Nelson's Spice could be a star in the making and he gets the decision.
Able King (NZ) 9-4 (11-0) Led, hit 9th, ridden 2 out, kept on flat but headed towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Ladino (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf.
Capt Jack (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Took keen hold tracking leaders, jumped slowly 8th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 3rd of 15, 22l behind Ladino (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf.
L'Eau Du Nil (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Led, ridden 3 out, mistake when headed 2 out, no extra, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Sunnyarjun (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Nov.
Nelson's Spice (IRE) 1-3fav (10-12) Held up in 5th, closed on leaders 5f out, led on bit over 1f out, cheekily, won at Stratford 2m nhf (5) gd beating Marlowe (10-7) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Thyne Supreme (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Joined leaders 2nd, lost 2nd next, weakened 5th, 10th of 11, 36l behind Iffy (11-0) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
True Star (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Held up, headway over 6f out, ridden to lead over 3f out, clear over 1f out, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn nhf (6) gf in Jun beating That's My Charlie (11-0) by 12l, 6 ran.
Guthrie (IRE) 7-2 (12-0) Prom til lost plce 12; sn wl bhnd; fin 30l 4th; disq, 4th of 7, well behind Clever Nora (11-7) at Garthorpe 3m ptp gf in Apr. Later dsq to last.
Smart Tiger (GER) 16-1 (10-6) In rear when unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by So Brash (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd, 11 ran.
