chased leaders, ridden approaching last, chased winner flat, no impression
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace when hit last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, effort approaching 4 out, no impression
prominent, went 2nd at 4th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and hit last, ran on
held up, effort approaching 4 out, no impression
tracked leaders, mistakes throughout, weakened approaching 2 out
From a shortlist containing Regal Setting, Planters Punch, Mount Vettore, Always Flying and Classic Event, the vote goes to Regal Setting. The selection hails from the Howard Johnson-Graham Wylie team that is having such a good time of things and Regal Setting, a progressive three-year-old middle-distance handicapper when with Sir Mark Prescott last season, looks to hold very good credentials for this race. Classic Event won his juvenile novices' event at Newcastle last time but the form has been let down since. Planters Punch's 10-furlong form on the Flat rates in the high 60s and he should be competitive for a place, while Mount Vettore was best at up to a mile on the Flat for Lynda Ramsden and there is middle-distance blood on the dam's side of his pedigree, so he could go well. Of the others, Always Flying has won on the all-weather but others are preferred and Reem Two, who showed some ability on the Flat in a light campaign last season, might well improve for seeing eight flights of hurdles. Overall, though if he transfers his Flat ability to jumps, Regal Setting has a very good chance of landing this race and, accordingly, gets our vote.
