headway 5th, ridden and outpaced from next, rallied approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression
in touch, headway 3 out, not fluent next, ridden and weakened approaching last
headway 6th, ridden and kept on one pace from 2 out
in touch, ridden after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, ridden approaching 5th, weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 5th, soon weakened
held up in touch and keen, ridden approaching 6th, effort approaching next, soon beaten
tracked winner, ridden after 3 out, weakened from next
always towards rear, behind when pulled up before 2 out
behind, hampered 3rd, lost touch from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
A competitive affair gets proceedings under way but the TEAMtalk selection is Croker. The gelding from the Simon Lewis yard won well at Leicester last time out when defeating Iron Mountain. He is proven on the ground and has also won over course and distance before, and despite his penalty he will be very hard to beat. Drama King rates the main danger as he showed improved form when winning at Uttoxeter last time out, but that was only a seller and he will find things harder under his penalty in this handicap. Compton Amica is also worthy of consideration as he is admirably consistent but gives the impression he would do better over a longer trip. Bachelors Pad was second behind Drama King last time out, and is a lot better off at the weights, but the winner did win with plenty in hand. Ndr's Cash For Fun is another to consider but his best form is over a longer trip and he may come on for this his first run in 235 days. Mundo Raro is one of the least exposed in the field and he looks well weighted on his best form but often finds less than expected off the bridle.
