held up tracking leaders, hampered and lost place halfway, ridden when ran wide on bend well over 2f out, soon beaten
led, headed over 7f out, ridden to lead again over 2f out, quickened clear
prominent, led over 7f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace
held up rear, well behind final 5f
tracked leader over 7f out, ridden 3f out, weakened
in touch and keen, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, steady headway on inside over 3f out to chase leaders, one pace final furlong
held up towards rear, behind from over 4f out
held up tracking leaders, chased leaders over 3f out, faded final furlong
A tricky finale in which a chance is taken with Bahlino ahead of joint topweights Curlew River and Adopted Hero. This generally goes to an improving sort and there is no doubt that Willie Jarvis's inmate falls into that category, having been in good form all season. A back-to-back winner at Redcar and Beverley, he ran well under a penalty behind Ebor-bound Inglis Drever, and then beat all bar another well handicapped Sir Mark Prescott inmate, Tempsford at Lingfield four days ago. With the cheekpieces on to keep his mind on the job, Bahlino is taken to get back to winning ways. Curlew River opened his account at the expense of the more fancied Alaared at Kempton and will be expected to improve again, although the ground is now a worry. In contrast, Adopted Hero found conditions too fast at Haydock and has the scope to win a decent handicap. Lightly raced, he is the dark horse here, but we still prefer the claims of the consistent Bahlino.
