slowly into stride, always towards rear
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace, no impression
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leader over 4f out, led over 1f out, pushed clear
behind, ridden over 2f out, some headway over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, always towards rear
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, one pace final 2f
behind, effort over 2f out, no impression
chased leader until over 4f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, never dangerous
Epidaurian King comes here in search of his fourth win and Derek Shaw's gelding is fancied to oblige at the main expense of Van Ruymbeke and Cape Of Storms. Three wins in a row have meant that Derek Shaw's gelding is rising up the weights however the manner of his victory last time out Kempton suggested that another win should be in the offing. One worry is that he has not really faced the kickback here before with any sort of relish and so that may push his price out to a back-able one. There are plenty of course and distance winners in the lineup, none more dangerous than Trinculo if he were to get his own way out in front. Cape Of Storms keeps finding one too good and the likelihood is that will occur again, whilst Soba Jones and Van Ruymbeke both have wins to their name over the course and distance. Shava ran well in defeat a fortnight ago but needs to step up, and so we will return to Epidaurian King as the selection.
Epidaurian King (IRE) 9-4fav (8-12) Steadied start, held up in mid-division, switched left over 1f out, ran on to lead entering final furlong, easily, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol beating Patavium Prince (8-6) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Trinculo (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, pushed along in rear, some headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 6l behind Realt Na Mara (9-4) at Southwell 6f hcp (5) fbs.
Imperial Sword 14-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, effort halfway, driven over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Diriculous (9-3) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Hits Only Jude (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Held up towards rear, not much room over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 12, 12l behind Alto Vertigo (8-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Phinerine 11-2 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, 7th of 10, 11l behind Silver Hotspur (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs.
Royal Guest 8-1 (8-12) Started very slowly, always in rear, never a factor, 9th of 10, 20l behind Sahf London (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Soba Jones 7-1 (8-9) Pulled hard behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 9, 4l behind Diriculous (9-3) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Van Ruymbeke (IRE) 4-1fav (8-9) Dwelt, in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 11, 6l behind Mind Alert (8-9) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Favouring (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 16l behind Silver Hotspur (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs.
Blakeshall Quest 5-1 (8-6) Chased leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed final furlong, one pace, 4th of 11, 6l behind Mind Alert (8-9) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Shava 9-2 (7-13) Chased leaders, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Silver Hotspur (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Kingsmaite 9-4fav (9-0) Led early, tracked leader after 1f, led again over 3f out, hard ridden when headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Polish Prize (8-9) at W'hampton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol.
Piccolo Prince 11-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 3l behind High Reach (9-0) at Southwell 5f sll (6) fbs.
Cape of Storms 10-3 (8-8) Chased leaders, led 3f out, soon ridden, caught post, 2nd of 11, hd behind Silver Hotspur (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
