prominent until weakened and lost place 12th, pulled up before 4 out
led to 1st, led again 4th, drew well clear after 2 out, easily
prominent, blundered 8th, chased winner from 3 out, kept on same pace
behind, some late headway, never dangerous
behind, tailed off 12th, pulled up before 4 out
behind, blundered 12th, soon struggling
always well in rear, well behind when unseated rider 9th
in touch until weakened and pulled up before 4 out
led after 1st to 4th, chased winner to 3 out, 3rd and no chance when blundered last
fell 1st
always behind, jumped slowly 9th, tailed off from 12th
in touch, stayed on under pressure from 4 out
On form, the four to focus on here are Monty's Tag, Folly Road, Friar Waddon and Lord Kilpatrick. Monty's Tag is consistent but has a 294-day absence to overcome. Folly Road, runner up in the 2000 Whitbread Gold Cup, has decent winning form under Rules to his name, although he is not the easiest of rides these days. He is, however, still entered for the Martell Cognac Grand National and the Attheraces Gold Cup (formerly the Whitbread). Maybe he'll go well for his lady rider. Friar Waddon is steadily progressing following his return in January after a nine-month absence and should be competitive in this event. However, for the selection, we go for Lord Kilpatrick. A winning pointer in Ireland, he can put a disappointing run in the Grand Military Gold Cup (on soft going) behind him and display his true colours here. Of the others, Cahors can maybe improve on what he has so far shown.
