held up in touch, badly hampered 3rd, not recover, pulled up before 7th
chased leaders, went 2nd at 4 out, soon ridden, kept on to lead towards finish
led, raced keen, 11 lengths clear 4 out, ridden 2 out, headed towards finish
mistakes, chased leader, in 3rd and beat when fell 4 out
chased leaders, in 3rd when fell 3rd
held up in rear, hampered 3rd, hit 5 out, never dangerous
Jupon Vert is on a hat-trick and should be up to the task against his older opponents including Lauderdale, Silk Trader and Kind Sir. Jupon Vert has to shoulder topweight here after notching back-to-back victories at Hereford and Warwick last month. He was winning that Warwick contest for the second year in succession and off a 12lb higher mark, so is obviously thriving at present. Both wins have been gained with Tom Scudamore in the saddle so our confidence is boosted with him in the plate again today. A career-high mark of 111 will not make life easy, but at the age of seven he has the scope to progress even further, and with no problems regarding the going or trip, Ron Hodges' charge is the one to beat. Lucinda Russell has had a fine season so far so Lauderdale can be expected to run well, and in receipt of a stone from the selection, he can give him most to do. Silk Trader needed his return run behind Mighty Fine at Sedgefield but has not always impressed with his jumping, while Kind Sir, who is likely to lead and set the race up for the others, will probably need this although he is one to follow according to his trainer. On this occasion though, Jupon Vert is a confident choice.
