always behind, not fluent 6th, blundered and lost touch 9th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
tracked leaders, slightly hampered 12th, stayed on under pressure after 3 out, challenged last, kept on to lead final 100yds
led to 11th, blundered and weakened next, pulled up before 3 out, broke blood vessel
in touch, hard ridden from 10th, stayed on under pressure 4 out, driven and kept on same pace from next
in touch, hard ridden from 9th, weakened after next
always behind, mistake 7th, lost touch next, tailed off
took keen hold in touch, weakened before 4 out, no chance when fell next
close up, went 2nd 11th, every chance 2 out, ridden and no extra before last
tracked leader, led 11th, pressed from 4 out, headed and quicken final 100yds, kept on
The Venetia Williams-trained Javelot D'Or, a winner over fences in France, makes his British debut here and looks to face no easy task off a mark of 125. Joint topweight Peccadillo has become frustrating and is probably best watched for the time-being, a comment that also applies to both Khatani and Sandy Duff, who both have long absences to overcome. Henrietta Knight's Allimac has been off the track since finishing third to Isio at Kempton in November and, while fitness is unlikely to be too much of a problem with the stable quite capable of readying one after an absence, his current mark looks a little harsh. Jim Old has not had the most memorable of seasons so far, so he will have been delighted with the performance of Wise King when winning at Wincanton a month ago. However, the 13-year-old probably does not have a great deal of improvement in him and may struggle to follow up. Although only two years younger, The Newsman does not have many miles on the clock and has been a much improved performer this term. Most recently the son of Homo Sapien overcame a three month absence to win at Fontwell and, with more to come, he is taken to defy the 8lb rise.
