took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, effort and hung right under pressure final 2f, no impression
dictated steady pace, pushed along 2f out, headed 1f out, soon no chance with winner but kept on well for 2nd
tracked leaders until weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, pushed along and stayed on final 2f, never dangerous (lost both front shoes)
held up towards rear, headway on rails from 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never able to challenge
took keen hold, held up in mid-division, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten
led keenly, held up in rear, rapid headway to track leader 9f out to 2f out, unable to quicken and beaten over 1f out
tracked leader to 9f out, stayed prominent, chased leader 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, stayed on well
slowly away, held up toward rear, ridden and struggling 3f out
San Hernando can carry a big weight to victory in this staying contest, with Belle Rouge and Darn Good the ones likely to give him most to do. David Elsworth's gelding has plenty of solid form under his belt and relishes these extreme trips on a sound surface. He is virtually guaranteed to run up to his form here, and at these weights he looks to have a good chance of his first win since June of last year. Belle Rouge has been in cracking form this year, with two wins and three seconds from five starts since a long lay-off, and it would be churlish to dismiss her, but with the rise in the handicap that such form brings, she may just be found wanting this time around. Darn Good is another who has been going well, winning two at Warwick and putting up another good run there before running inexplicably badly at Kempton last time. The bubble may have burst or that may have just been a one-off, whichever way you look at it he has a bit to prove, so we will stick with San Hernando to take the prize.
