chased leader until after 6th, ridden and outpaced after next, rallied after 3 out, led after 2 out, stayed on
held up, ridden and headway 4 out, hit 3 out, kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed after 3 out, left in lead and slightly hampered 2 out, soon headed, no extra flat
in touch, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway after 6th, led after 3 out, 4 lengths clear when fell 2 out
in touch, headway 5th, hung right and not fluent 6th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
All six here hold some sort of claim but we have cut it down to Lord Of The Hill, Measure Of The Man and Taakid, with the last named getting the verdict. Sue Smith's gelding has to be forgiven two poor recent efforts, but prior to that was unlucky not to beat Marked Man over course and distance. But for a blunder at the fourth from home he would have easily taken that contest. Back in third on that occasion was today's rival Lord Of The Hill who lost his chance by continually jumping to the right, if he can steer a proper course today he must be in the shake up. However a bigger threat to the selection may be Measure Of Man who looks very well treated on the best of his Irish form and should be spot on for this after two outings in this country. Peter Niven's Panmure should prove best of the remainder, but Taakid is the one that gets our vote.
