held up, hit 8th, hit 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before next
held up in touch, took closer order 8th, led approaching 3 out, ridden out
chased leader, blundered 6th, ridden to chase winner approaching last, kept on same pace
held up behind, hit 3rd, behind when fell 6th
held up towards rear, mistake 7th, soon struggling, hit next, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, reminder after 6th, ridden 4 out, weakened approaching next
held up towards rear, blundered 6th, headway and hit 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
behind, outpaced 8th, driven next, no impression from 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along approaching 4 out, weakening when blundered 2 out
led, not fluent to 5th and next, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, pushed along after 7th, soon weakened
Union Deux can complete a hat-trick at the expense of Green 'n' Gold, Inch' Allah and Zygomatic. The latter reappears after a long break, but on the progressive form that he showed in 2003, it should pay to follow his fortunes as time goes on. However, on this occasion he and the rest will find it tough to stop Union Deux from extending his winning run. Ferdy Murphy's charge has mirrored the wellbeing of the stable at present, with back-to-back successes here and at Towcester over the past fortnight. He had Green 'n' Gold well beaten over the course and distance and should uphold that form with little difficulty. Inch' Allah needed the outing on his belated return at Huntingdon last month, and despite not jumping at all well, still nearly beat Castlemore. He will be sharper now and could be the main threat to the selection. With the competent Keith Mercer doing the steering though, Union Deux is a confident choice.
