tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened before 4 out, soon pulled up
in touch, headway before 4 out, led 3 out, headed last, kept on
in rear, headway to go 3rd before 4 out, ridden to lead last, edged right run-in, driven out
held up in rear, mistake 8 out, headway 4 out, one pace
led to 8th, tracked leader, led again before 4 out, headed 3 out, one pace
tracked leader, led 8th, headed before 4 out, soon weakened
Indian Temple won this in 2016 and is not badly treated on a subsequent success at Perth. Max Ward will need to improve further off his current mark now 11lb higher than when last winning but UPSILON BLEU (NAP) should go close. The latter finished a close-up fifth behind Sir Valentino in a more competitive contest at Ascot last time and Pauline Robson’s charge can race off the same mark today. Knockgraffon still looks high enough in the weights and the rest make even less appeal.
Max Ward (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Mid-division, driven and outpaced before 2 out, soon ridden, never on terms, 6th of 10, dist behind Exitas (10-1) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Upsilon Bleu (FR) 11-1 (10-3) Chased leader, challenged 6th, led 8th, ridden and headed before 2 out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened before the last, 5th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Sir Valentino (11-6) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Knockgraffon (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders on outside, lost place after 4th, effort 8th, lost place when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 10l behind Gino Trail (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
King's Wharf (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Prominent, every chance 3 out, carried left before 2 out, weakened flat, 7th of 14, 12 1/2l behind Wot A Shot (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Indian Temple (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Led to 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 8, 6l behind Wolf Sword (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Mr Boss Man (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on inner, not fluent 5 out, squeezed for room and lost place before 3 out, ridden after next, no impression and kept on same pace from before last, 8th of 13, 12l behind Let's Twist Again (11-0) at Punchestown 3m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
