in touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened soon after
held up in rear, switched right to outer and headway over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to lead towards finish
led for 2f, chased leader, led again over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
started very slowly, well in rear, pushed along over 3f out, staying on when driven and hung left and rider unbalanced over 1f out, kept on to take 4th last strides
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed towards finish
led after 2f, clear 4f out, headed over 1f out, weakened soon after
held up in rear, pushed along and struggling over 2f out
Now that he has had some handicapping experience the time looks right for LAVA STEPS to come good, while Vita Mia and Squad are cited as the leading dangers. Vita Mia came close to selection now dropped to a mark of 62, after wins earlier in the campaign over this trip and 12f at Chester and Folkestone. However, he was out of sorts back at Chester last time and has a bit to prove today. Squad was well held from today's mark at Lingfield but it was over slightly further, and now dropped to this trip and back on fast ground he could go closer once more. King Of Bute returns to handicapping from claimers but looks to have a tough task at the weights, and Haling Park looks a better proposition if able to produce her Folkestone running last month. However, we'll take Lava Steps to land this prize. Trainer Paul Cole drops the Giant's Causeway colt back in trip after he didn't quite get home when making his handicap debut over 1m 4f here in July. The break since then might be a positive, but for now the drop back in trip certainly looks a plus, and from a lower mark today he can take full advantage.
Lava Steps (USA) 4-1 (8-13) Held up, headway to chase leaders 2f out, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Dice (8-13) at Brighton 1m 4f 3yo mdn hcp 0-75 (5) fm in Jul.
Squad 6-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, took closer order halfway, went 3rd over 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Qelaan (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Vita Mia 9-1 (8-1) Tracked leaders, headway to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Spirit of Adjisa (10-1) at Chester 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
King's La Mont (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 7, 24l behind Qelaan (9-4) at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Granny McPhee 25-1 (8-11) Slowly away, always in rear, last of 9, 24l behind Dance Club (8-13) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Aug.
Triple Cee (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leader, outpaced over 3f out, headway approaching final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Benedicte (8-12) at Chester 1m 2f fll mdn stks (4) gf.
Kyle Of Bute 12-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, chased winner after 1f, ridden 3f out, kept on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Kaleo (9-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f clm stks (6) gd.
Haling Park (UAE) 4-1 (8-11) Always rear division, 10th of 13, 6l behind Arty Crafty (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f stks 0-55 (6) pol.
