chased leaders until weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, never able to challenge
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
raced handy, ridden along 2f out, edged right under pressure, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, never able to challenge
held up in rear, kept on under pressure over 1f out, no danger
held up, effort and ridden over 2f out, not quicken approaching final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
held up, pushed along and beaten 3f out
chased leaders until weakened over 1f out
prominent on inside, weakened well over 1f out
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on, nearest finish
in touch, ridden and no impression final 2f
keen hold, tracked winner, led after 2f, ridden and headed 2f out, unable to quicken final furlong
close up, ran on well final furlong, finished well
led 2f, tracked leader, led again 2f out, ran on gamely final furlong
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders
Sir Michael Stoute's horses could not be in better form at present and the lightly-raced Namroud is bound to be a popular choice among backers here but, at the forecast odds, he does not represent any value and we prefer to side with Zonergem, who gets the nod over Gryffindor and Rafferty. The selection was an impressive winner at Ascot in September and, although he has failed to get his head in front in three subsequent starts, the son of Zafonic has been unlucky. His style of racing lends itself to problems as the five-year-old needs to be held up but Zonergem has gone well here before and, from stall one, he is worth chancing. Gryffindor has slipped to an attractive mark and, with the Brian Meehan stable back among the winners, he is entitled to go close. Sir Michael Stoute's Namroud is less exposed than any of his rivals after just two starts, the latest of them when winning a Yarmouth maiden last month. The son of Irish River seems well enough treated on a mark of 84 for his handicap debut but lack of experience may prove to be costly in a big field such as this. Rafferty lost no caste in defeat behind another Stoute inmate, Green Line, at Chester last time and, off a 1lb higher mark is still well treated. Summer View is another to be respected, particularly if fit for his seasonal reappearance. Boundless Prospect and Marlo look the pick of the rest.
