held up, went 3rd from 6th, 2nd 4 out, ridden after 2 out, led last, stayed on well
raced freely, led, ridden and headed last, no impression on winner flat
chased leaders, not fluent and last from 6th, ridden after next, well held from 4 out
chased leader until 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, no extra last
NonRunner
Having previously proved hard to place, Royal Plaza beat Mercian King by nine lengths at Fontwell for a first win over fences. Richard Johnson keeps the partnership intact and Olly Murphy’s charge should confirm that form on the revised terms. VOSNE ROMANEE has had a break since finishing last of three at Perth in April. He has an excellent career strike-rate and won around here last year so might be good enough to defy top weight with Pearls Legend a little high in the ratings now. The latter also finished twice behind Oliver's Hill in the autumn, though Lawney Hill’s runner may need this.
Vosne Romanee 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, reached for 3 out, lost 2nd at the last, no extra run-in, last of 3, 3 1/4l behind Baby King (11-11) at Perth 2m hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Royal Plaza 9-4 (11-8) Made all, jumped well, driven clear approaching last, stayed on strongly, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Mercian King (11-8) by 9l, 4 ran.
Oliver's Hill (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden and effort after 3 out, fading 5th at the last, 5th of 7, 7 1/4l behind Starchitect (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Mercian King (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Tracked leader, jumped well, hard driven approaching 2 out, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Royal Plaza (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Pearls Legend 5-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead between last 2, headed last, readily outpaced by winner flat, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Champagne At Tara (11-6) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
