chased leader, led on bit 2 out, ridden approaching last, driven out
led, mistake 4th, ridden and headed 2 out, soon no chance
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, left 3rd last, ran on flat
prominent, ridden 3 out, chased leader 2 out, left 2nd last, ran on flat, not reached winner
pulled early, held up in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
in touch, ridden after 3 out, one pace
always behind, weakened approaching 2 out, tired when fell last
held up towards rear, headway 2 out, every chance when fell last
held up, mid-division, lost place 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
Not an easy race to assess with all the leading contenders fully exposed and the winner is probably going to have to put up a lifetime best to do so. The short list comprises Amour Multiple, Master Mahogany, The Local, Hail The King and The Hairy Lemon and we will take a chance on The Local. Some moderate recent form has seen Charlie Egerton's runner drop in the weights to the extent that he is now just 3lb higher than his highest winning mark. He goes on this ground and loves the track, and with his yard's only runner this week having gone well we will chance him to come good again. The Hairy Lemon also loves some cut but looks one paced and can realistically only hope to make the frame again. Top weight Amour Multiple is 6lb higher than when winning at Hereford last month. The manner of that success did not suggest he was guaranteed to follow up after a rise, especially as he is inconsistent, so we will oppose. Master Mahogany comes from a yard who have won this in the recent past and is in form, but going up 5lb for being bridesmaid last time should find him out, while Hail The King would ideally prefer drier ground and in any case looks a fraction to high in the weights. But The Local enjoys himself here and we will side with him.
Amour Multiple (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led briefly 4th, led 2 out, ridden when hit last, kept on, won at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec beating Cottingham (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Burntoakboy 4-1jt-fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 8th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on, 3rd of 17, 6l behind Mikado (11-8) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Master Mahogany 7-4fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, ridden to challenge after 3 out, every chance and hit 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Sole Agent (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Magic Sky (FR) 9-1 (10-11) Held up, headway after 3 out, chased winner next, ridden and kept on same pace, no impression, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Torkinking (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl (2) hvy.
The Local 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 33l behind Trompette (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
The Hairy Lemon 8-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, chased winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Smoothly Does It (9-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
Hail The King (USA) 12-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 6th, led approaching 2 out, headed last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Dance With Wolves (10-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Picot de Say 16-1 (10-10) Held up, behind, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, chased leading group 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 15l behind Brave Jo (10-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Fisby 9-1 (11-0) Hampered after 6th, always towards rear, 12th of 18, 17l behind Patronage (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
