not going well earlier, reminders after 5th, in touch, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily
chased leader, led 5th to 7th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up well in rear, ridden and struggling 10th, tailed off
led 2nd to 5th, stayed in touch, weakened after 10th, soon tailed off, well behind when jumped badly left last
chased leaders, led 10th to next, ridden after 3 out, plugged on approaching last to press for 2nd, no chance with winner
chased leaders, hard ridden to chase leading trio after 3 out, weakened before next
close up, led 7th to 10th, regained lead next, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd
Magic Of Sydney can build on his comeback run to gain another course-and-distance success, with Gray's Eulogy, Touch Of Fate and Optimistic Affair seen as the main dangers. Richard Rowe saddles two runners here, with Touch Of Fate returning from an absence. He showed plenty of promise last season, and will appreciate being campaigned back over a longer trip. However, with fitness a worry, we shall side with his stablemate Magic Of Sydney. The 10-year-old was successful here last December, and will be all the better for his return to action at Kempton three weeks ago. His tendency to jump left on a right-handed track is always a worry, but that trait has not stopped him collecting here twice already, and regular pilot Barry Fenton will know more than most what to expect. His fitness can see him home over Gray's Eulogy who has not been out since finishing fourth to Presenting Express here in January. Optimistic affair was an early faller at Leicester a fortnight ago, and connections will be looking for a confidence-boosting clear round, while Jimmy Tennis returns to the fray in a bid to recapture the useful form he showed as a novice. All in all, Magic Of Sydney has the best claims, and is the pick.
Jimmy Tennis (FR) 9-1 (10-13) With leader, lost place approaching 4 out, ridden, weakened 2 out, 4th of 7, 22l behind Lothian Falcon (10-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Nov '05.
Optimistic Alfie 13-2 (11-0) Held up, fell 2nd fell at the 2nd in race won by Mr Splodge (11-5) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 10 ran.
Touch of Fate 7-1 (11-7) Held up, mistake 4th, short lived effort approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 19l behind Jolly Boy (10-4) at Windsor 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Dec.
Magic of Sydney (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Jumped left, led, mistakes 3rd and 12th, headed next, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 7, 29l behind Balladeer (11-4) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Tommy Carson 14-1 (9-11) Chased leader until jumped slowly 2nd, niggled along after 7th, lost place 9th, some headway until weakened after 16th, 5th of 10, well behind Elvis Returns (10-13) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in May.
Gray's Eulogy 6-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 10l behind Presenting Express (11-6) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Pardini (USA) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until 10th, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Wee Anthony (11-1) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft, 9 ran.
