held up towards rear, headway 5th, outpaced after 3 out, rallied to chase winner approaching last, no impression run-in
led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, one pace next
towards rear, pushed along halfway, soon outpaced, kept on one pace from 2 out
chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, stayed on strongly from next
held up in rear, headway when mistake and sprawled badly 3 out, not recover
prominent, lost place 5th, soon behind
Prince Among Men might not have beaten a great deal when landing a selling hurdle at Hexham last time but this does not look to be the strongest of handicaps and the Nicky Richards-trained gelding is taken to follow up at the main expense of Comical Errors and Barney. The last mentioned would have claims on the form shown when winning here last month but he disappointed at Hexham last week and may now be best watched. Two Steps To Go has a nice racing weight but has given little cause for optimism of late. A market move for Supply And Fix would be of interest, while Charlie Tango may do better now that he returns to a fast surface but is hard to recommend on recent evidence. Comical Errors has generally been running in better grade than this but could probably do with some more help from the handicapper so preference is for Prince Among Men, who is well treated on his best and is at least in form at present.
Prince Among Men 2-1fav (11-0) In touch, headway to chase leader 3 out, led between last 2, ridden out, won at Hexham 2m sll hdl (5) gf in May beating Lord Baskerville (11-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
Supply And Fix (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Led, ridden from 4th, mistake and headed 5th, weakened and blundered 3 out pulled up at the last in race won by Itsmyboy (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (B) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
Charlie Tango (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Polar Gunner (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Comical Errors (USA) 8-1 (10-3) Towards rear, effort after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 29l behind Toulouse Express (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in May.
Emperor's Monarch 9-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened from next, 5th of 8, 15l behind The Royal Dub (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in May.
Barney (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Made most, headed approaching last, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 21l behind Royal Glen (10-13) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Spa Wells (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out, 12th of 19, well behind Macs-Bet (10-13) at Down Royal 2m hacp hdl gf in May.
Two Steps To Go (USA) 25-1 (9-11) In touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 11th of 14, well behind Royal Glen (10-13) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
