tracked leaders, chased winner after 5th, no impression after next, lost 2nd last, weakened run in
in touch, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
blundered 1st, chased leaders, losing place when blundered 6th, tailed off
always well in rear, tailed off
held up, stayed on under pressure approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
took keen hold, held up, mistake 2nd and 5th, tailed off from next
prominent, mistake 4th, ridden to chase leading pair after 6th, no impression before 2 out, weakened before last
held up in touch, outpaced 6th, stayed on under pressure before 2 out
keen, tracked leader, led after 5th, clear from 3 out, unchallenged
led until after 5th, weakened rapidly next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Maharbal is the confident choice in the opener, with Zimbabwe and Mount Cook the two most likely to chase our selection home. Maharbal may not have been suited by the track at Kempton last time when well beaten Tarque, but his previous winning form at Newbury when he defeated So Sure looks good in the context of this race and he is taken to get back on the winning trail. Zimbabwe was fourth behind Trouble at Bay in a decent race at Cheltenham last time, and he could go well in this company. He does not look anything out of the ordinary but he should be capable of picking up the odd race or two. Mount Cook has winning form in France and he could be interesting if he is supported in the market on his British debut, but Maharbal sets the standard here and is the one to beat.
