never travelled that well in last pair, reminders after 10th, went modest 3rd 2 out, no chance with leading duo
never travelled nor jumped with any fluency in rear, blundered 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
went left 1st, tracked leaders in 4th, 2nd going well approaching 3 out, led home turn, soon clear, very easly
tracked leader, hit 11th, led 4 out, ridden after 2 out, headed home turn, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, kept on for clear 2nd
led until 4 out, soon pushed along, lost 2nd before 3 out, weakened soon after 3 out
bit keen, chased leaders on inside, mistake 3 out, weakened before 2 out
On a hat-trick, Midnight Jewel had just been joined by the eventual winner when falling at the last at Stratford. He’s gone up another 2lb but his experience will stand him in good stead in this. Mackelduff won twice over hurdles but could be an even better chaser and definitely warrants a market check, though HIGHSTAKESPLAYER is just as interesting. He ended the last campaign with a second behind the highly-progressive Manofthepeople over hurdles at Doncaster and the winner has already won over fences this term. Not Sure is still a maiden but is another who still has time on his side.
Mackelduff (FR) 11-2 (11-3) Raced wide held up, reminders 4 out, ridden and headway 2 out, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Shantou Express (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Translink 9-2 (12-1) Held up in mid-division, closer out wide approaching 5th, outpaced and struggling in last pair after 4 out, weakened quickly, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Breaking Waves (11-7) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Highstakesplayer (IRE) 6-4fav (12-3) Raced keenly tracking leaders, went 2nd at 4th, every chance before omitted 2 out, hung left before omitted last, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Manothepeople (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Midnight Jewel 2-1jfav (11-2) Led, jumped right and not fluent 8th, ridden and joined when fell last, at Stratford 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Samtara 3-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, not always fluent, went 2nd after 9th until before 3 out, soon beaten, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, dist behind Duc De Bourbon (11-10) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in May.
Not Sure (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) Led until 2nd, led 3rd, headed 4th, not fluent 4th, 4th and weakening 2 out, 4th of 7, 13 3/4l behind Ashoka (11-12) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in May.
