took keen hold early, in touch, slightly hampered 2nd, ridden in 4th before 3 out, weakened 3 out
held up in last trio, smooth headway travelling well in 3rd 3 out, soon pushed along, no extra run-in
led until narrowly headed after 6th, pressed leader, led again 8th, travelling well after 3 out, driven clear flat, eased close home
last pair, struggling in rear when pulled up after 8th
pressed winner, hit 1st, led narrowly after 6th until 8th, weakened before next, soon behind and pulled up after 3 out
chased leaders, pushed along went 2nd and jumped left 3 out, 2 lengths down when went left 2 out, no extra when wet left again last, stayed on on for 2nd but no chance with winner
tracked leaders on inside, pushed along before 7th, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, went 2nd after 8th until before 3 out, weakening when slightly hampered 3 out
raced wide in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 8th
KING EDMUND carries a double penalty for victories at this track and Plumpton last time, both in heavy ground. The runner-up at Plumpton, Krackatoa King, attempts to turn the tables but the former has Sean Bowen's 5lb allowance in his favour today and the hat-trick beckons. Point-to-point winner Johney Foley went close in a bumper when last seen at the track but that was back in 2010 while Nimbus Gale was still beaten a long way on his hurdling bow at Taunton. Blown Cover returns from an absence but may figure on his hurdling bow.
King Edmund 5-4fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led approaching 4th, headed before next, led again 9th, hard ridden when challenged before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Krackatoa King (10-9) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Blown Cover 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 3rd over 2f out, kept on same pace and no impression final 2f, well clear of 4th, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Princess Tara (10-3) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Boardwalk Empire (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Led, driven and headed before 3 out, soon lost place, well beaten in 4th before next, plugged on to take modest 3rd near finish, 3rd of 8, 16l behind St Johns Point (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Derryogue (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Prom to 13; pu 3 out, in a race won by Rather Curious (12-0) at Chiddingfold, Leconfield & Cowdr 3m ptp gf in Apr '13, 11 ran.
Johney Foley (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Gorgehous Lliege (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in Mar '10.
Krackatoa King 7-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, pushed along 4 out, hit next, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, kept on well, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind King Edmund (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Nimbus Gale (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Mid-division, tracked leaders after 7th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, went moderate 3rd next, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Southfield Vic (10-12) at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Theunnamedsoldier 66-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, mistake 1st, held up towards rear, struggling when mistake 3 out, plugged on into modest 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 30l behind Value At Risk (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Dec.
Us Et Garry (FR) 66-1 (10-12) In touch, hampered 4th, soon pushed along and weakened, pulled up, in a race won by Allthegear No Idea (10-12) at Lingfield 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
