held up, headway 3 out, chased winner 2 out, not quicken flat
held up, ridden 8th, soon behind
held up, ridden and weakened 8th, soon tailed off
disputed lead, led after 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on
held up, closer order 5th, every chance approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
disputed lead, led approaching 4th, headed after 8th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders and keen, led briefly after 3rd, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off when mistake 3 out, pulled up soon after
soon in touch, close up 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakening when mistake last
with leaders, ridden and lost place 7th, tailed off from 3 out
Nonrunner
Pangbourne, Merlins Magic and Pocket Aces make the shortlist here with Pangbourne taken to continue Alan King's purple patch. Merlins Magic has made a profession of filling the runners up spot in seven races to date he has finished second five times, though last time he came up against a useful type in Thetotherone. He can hit the frame but is an unlikely winner. Pocket Aces was third to the classy Openditch before justifying favouritism last time. He is lightly raced and open to improvement but carries a penalty and may go off a false price. Alan King's Pangbourne beat Tidal Bay in the Aintree Grand National bumper but has only raced once since. He clearly has lots of ability but has been off the track for more than a year. However, he is the classiest performer in the race and King can get them ready after an absence. Pangbourne can prove too good for his rivals and make a winning comeback.
Pocket Aces (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Chased leaders, led after 2 out, drew clear before last, eased towards finish, very easily, won at Folkestone 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy beating Ours (10-12) by 26l, 7 ran.
Choumakeur (FR) 40-1 (11-5) Mid-division on outside, behind from halfway, 19th of 24, 41l behind Cork All Star (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m nhf Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Dandivito 66-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, some progress 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 18, 23l behind Broughton Green (11-2) at Warwick 2m nhf (5) sft.
Herecomesthetruth (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Held up, headway 6f out, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 16, 8l behind Run For Moor (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gd in Oct.
Merlin's Magic (FR) 9-1 (11-9) Chased leader, led 3 out to 2 out, regained lead approaching and jumped left last, soon headed and no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 10, 12l behind The Tother One (11-4) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Pangbourne (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 24l behind Wichita Lineman (10-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct '06.
Paradis Blue (FR) 12-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, prominent until weakened 3f out, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Danny Zuko (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (6) gs in May.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Slowly away, held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 6th of 18, 26l behind Mount Oscar (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Sycho Fred (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway halfway, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 16, 47l behind Blackpool Billy (10-11) at Towcester 2m nhf (4) sft in Nov.
Sir Pandy (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up, headway approaching 8th, weakened approaching last, 6th of 14, 18l behind Wild Chimes (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Feb '06.
