always prominent, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, clear last, stayed on
in touch, 3 lengths 4th when fell 3 out
always prominent, lead 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last, eased close home
lead until headed 3 out, 3rd and beaten when not fluent 2 out
raced wide and held up in last, behind from 4th
With an ability to handle extreme conditions essential, Pougatcheva looks the sensible selection over Scarlet Fantasy and Lightning Star. The selection is at his best with plenty of cut in the ground as was seen when the Venetia Williams-trained gelding last scored at Hereford in February. Two subsequent defeats on good ground are probably best ignored and, back on a heavy surface, Pougatcheva looks worth a bet. Recent course and distance winner Scarlet Fantasy has an obvious chance but a 7lb rise for that leaves Philip Pritchard's gelding with more to do and a bigger threat may come from Lightning Star. Gary Moore's gelding has shown a consistent level of form in recent starts and, in receipt of weight from the top two in the weights, has to be respected. Borehill Joker has given little sign of encouragement in recent starts and of more interest may be Littleton Valar, who at least ran well last time but is unproven on ground this soft. Pretty Boy Blue faces a near impossible task from 17lbs wrong at the weight sin a race that is taken to go to Pougatcheva.
