towards rear, pushed along 4 out, headway under pressure 3 out, kept on one pace from next
towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, headway halfway, disputing close 2nd when lost action and pulled up after 4 out
towards rear, weakened haflway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, headed after 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression on winner
in touch, effort 3 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out to chase leaders, weakened approaching last
towards rear, headway 7th and in touch, weakened 3 out
in touch, pushed along 7th, outpaced 4 out, no impression
in touch, pushed along 4 out, outpaced next, kept on one pace from 2 out
tracked leader, led after 5th, made rest, stayed on strongly
A decent little handicap that can be taken by the in-form Granite Steps, who looks capable of eclipsing the likes of Tomenoso, Vandas Choice and Special Promise. The selection produced a course and distance win on his seasonal reappearance last time after a year off the course. He seems to handle any ground with come cut in it, so should be ok on that score here, and provided he does not suffer from the 'bounce' factor then he is a confident choice. Most of the others are fully exposed or not in the best of form, including Vandas Choice. Lucy Normile sent him out to win at Perth twice last year, and then over to Down Royal where he won in November, but since then he failed to handle cut on a couple of occasions before being thrashed by Wet Lips at Musselburgh in February. Clearly, he has a bit to prove now, but after a break and with 5lb taken off his back a return to form could be on the cards. Tomenoso enjoyed a fast ground course and distance win 12 months ago, and comes here fresh, having not run since November. His three latest starts are sufficient to convince that he is in the grip of the handicapper at present, but we expect him to give his running again and he could make the frame. Just The Jobe found it tough last time in trying to defy a penalty and things will be no easier now, while an interesting runner is Special Promise. Peter Monteith must think plenty of this gelding, who has not run for 23 months, and not in a hurdle since winning successive hurdles at Perth and Sedgefield in the summer of 2001, to have persevered. Despite such a long absence, a good run would not be out of the question, but we will stick with Granite Steps to follow up that course and distance success.
