led 4th to 8th, chased leader, every chance 2 out, soon outpaced, chased winner approaching last, no chance
led to 4th, led 8th until headed and outpaced soon after 2 out, weakened before last
always in rear, tailed off from 12th
in touch, mistake 13th, behind when blundered and nearly unseated rider 15th, well behind in 8th when unseated rider last
chased leaders until weakened approaching 4 out
mid-division, mistake 5th, no chance with leaders from 4 out, kept on flat
held up in rear, mistake 12th, steady headway from next, tracked leading pair going well after 4 out, led soon after 2 out, stayed on well and drew clear flat
prominent until behind from 10th, tailed off
chased leaders until driven along and weakened before 3 out
mistakes, close-up, behind from 8th, tailed off when blundered 14th and pulled up
The winner of this race in 2001 and again last year, Kings Mistral attempts to gain his seventh course success of his career and is marginally preferred to Satshoon and Simber Hill. The last mentioned receives 10lbs from the selection and will not be inconvenienced by the ground conditions. He holds solid claims and rates a bigger threat that Satshoon. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding was not disgraced when third behind Gunner Welburn in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup but the 11-year-old is arguably better on a flatter track. Infrasonique has claims on his best but has yet to sparkle this term and has a lot to do to reverse form with the selection on running in a handicap over course and distance last month. The consistent Mercato and Charlie Egerton's Dragon Hunter are others worthy of a mention but the vote goes to course specialist Kings Mistral, who is taken to win at Sandown again.
