held up in last pair, good headway on inside tracking leaders before 2 out, 3rd and weakened between last 2
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
took keen hold, led after 1st, hit next, headed on long run before 2 out, weakened quickly soon after, tailed off
led until after 1st, tracked leader until after next, 2nd again 3 out, soon pushed along, ridden and lost 2nd approaching next, weakened after 2 out
jumped slickly, held up last, smooth headway on inside approaching 2 out, close 2nd 2 out, led before the last, ran on well
chased leaders on outside, pushed along after 3 out, weakened soon after
prominent, tracked leader after 2nd, jumped slowly next and lost place, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders on inside, close 2nd 3 out, led on long run before next, ridden and headed before the last, stayed on same pace run-in
Beat The Judge made a winning debut at Kempton but collateral form suggests he doesn’t have much in hand over Vlannon, who is receiving 4lb. Marc Goldstein rode the latter last time but now switches to newcomer Kenny George. Belargus is 10lb better with Beat The Judge than when sixth at Kempton but he’s proving disappointing. ZAFAR was let down by a lack of experience at Taunton but will know more today and Philip Hobbs’ French import is fancied to go one better getting 6lb from previous winners Poucor and Fresno Emery.
Beat The Judge (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, smooth headway on inside after 3 out, challenged next, led last, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m (2) gs in Dec beating Chaparral Prince (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Fresno Emery (FR) 6-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, challenged between last 2, ridden to lead flat, held on, all out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) sft in Dec beating Tazka (10-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Poucor 2-1fav (10-12) Chased clear leader, closed 5th, led before next, clear after 2 out, not fluent last, easily, won at Hereford 2m mdn (5) gs in Jan beating Astra Via (10-5) by 15l, 9 ran.
Vlannon 20-1 (10-12) Always prominent on inside, pushed along briefly before 4 out, pushed along to lead approaching 2 out, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Jan beating Chaparral Prince (10-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Belargus (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th and beaten when hampered last, 6th of 11, 15 1/2l behind Beat The Judge (10-12) at Kempton 2m (2) gs in Dec.
Honorable (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracking leaders when blundered and unseated rider 1st, at Sandown 2m (3) sft in Jan.
Kenny George 8-1 (8-9) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 9th of 11, 13 1/2l behind Sunday Prospect (9-6) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Zafar (GER) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, kept on run-in into 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Friend Or Foe (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Dec.
