held up, some headway when pecked 13th, soon struggling, behind when fell 4 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 10th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
held up, weakening when mistake 13th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
held up in touch, ridden 5 out, weakened before next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
led to 8th, chased winner to 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leader, led 8th, pressed from 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat
held up in rear, headway 7th, not fluent next, weakened 4 out
held up in touch, jumped right 5th, weakened 14th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
always prominent, not fluent 8th, chased winner 11th, challenged from 4 out, not fluent next or 2 out, still every chance last, one pace flat
held up in rear, pushed along 10th, weakened 12th, behind when hampered 4 out, tailed off
mid-division, hampered 5th, lost place next, weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
chased leaders, ridden and gradually weakened from 3 out
in touch to 6th, weakened 10th, tailed off
Most of these are fairly exposed but we like the look of Desailly most of all, with Prominent Profile possibly proving his biggest danger. The Toby Balding-trained selection has gone well here in the past, has been lightly campaigned this season, and has a lot of natural ability. All in all, he could land this and work his way into the Martell Cognac Grand National picture. Prominent Profile made short work of what looked a competitive race at Sandown last time and, despite being raised eight pounds for that effort, can go well again. Banker Count is well-handicapped on the best of his 2002 runs but has struggled so far to recapture that level of form, despite a reasonable run last time. Barry Geraghty's booking for the formerly-useful novice Lord Of The River is interesting and this one holds a Fulke Walwyn/Kim Muir entry. Red Guard remains well-weighted on the best of his form and, if in a going mood, could go well, while Midland Flame is also becoming more-competitively weighted. Be My Destiny is progressing nicely but has top-weight to shoulder here while Tremallt has belied his advancing years in recent runs and should lead them a merry dance, but that could set the race up for Desailly, who gets our vote.
