held up and keen, led 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, blundered 2nd, weakened going to 3 out
held up and raced wide, headway approaching 3 out and mistake, soon weakened
tracked leader, pushed along going to 7th, kept on from last
led, not fluent 3rd, blundered 5th, soon pushed along, headed 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway approaching 7th, challenged 2 out, led last, driven out
soon tracking leader and keen, weakened 3 out
HARCOURT is none too consistent but both of his hurdles' victories have come here, so he's worth siding with to get the better of Crystal Prince and Wingull. Paul Henderson's gelding is more exposed than most here and is clearly no world-beater, but that didn't stop him scoring in December under today's pilot. That course and distance effort came off a mark of 90 and whilst this 8lb higher mark demands more, he looks the most solid proposition in a poor contest. In receipt of over a stone from our pick Crystal Prince represents the most likely danger. This son of Marju was only just held off 77 two starts ago under similar conditions so could figure off just 3lbs higher, although his lack of a win is a big concern. Wingull represents George Baker and is both less exposed and more consistent than most. However, his handicap mark has climbed in defeat and he was behind Crystal Prince last time - a solitary pound turnaround in the weights shouldn't change the placings in our view. Of the others it will be interesting to see how Conkering fares in the market, Jonjo's runner having shown occasional flashes of ability a couple of years ago. A mark of 94 might leave connections some room for manoeuvre and so he rates a player ahead of Wondersobright, Days of Pleasure and Prince De Lacour who all look to be up against it here. There are only four with anything like compelling form claims but separating them isn't easy, so our preference for Harcourt is marginal.
Harcourt (USA) 10-1 (10-7) Chased leader, weakened approaching last, 4th of 11, 7l behind Near The Water (10-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Wingull (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Tracked clear leader, hit 4th, left in lead when slightly hampered 3 out, soon hard pressed, ridden and kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Wednesdays Boy (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Conkering (USA) 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders on inner, 8th after halfway, no impression from before 3 out, 15th of 22, well behind Clan Music (11-1) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens02 sft in Oct.
Days of Pleasure (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Held up, tailed off after 3 out, 9th of 11, 34l behind Near The Water (10-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Wondersobright (IRE) 25-1 (9-13) Chased leader, weakened 6th, 7th of 11, 26l behind Near The Water (10-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Crystal Prince 7-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra flat, 6th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Amir Pasha (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Prince De Lacour (FR) 14-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by She's No Muppet (10-7) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Sep, 14 ran.
