set steady pace, quickened after 4 out, joined 2 out, driven and ran on run in
mostly tracked winner, challenged from 3 out, upsides and hit 2 out, taken wide to challenge last, one pace and held run in
chased leaders, outpaced by leading pair after 4 out, weakened and lost 3rd 2 out
held up, jumped right 2nd, mistake and weakened 9th, tailed off
held up in touch, outpaced after 4 out, kept on under pressure to take 3rd 2 out but no chance with first two
held up in rear, weakened 9th, tailed off when mistakes 4 out and next
held up in touch, hit 1st, mistake 4th, ridden after 9th, weakened 4 out, 5th and no chance when mistake next
Just seven runners contest our first event and it may fall to the inform Football Crazy, with Stage By Stage and Icy Prospect the two obvious dangers. Peter Bowen's five-year-old has only tasted defeat once in his last five races and that was finishing runner up to the smart Mr Ed in a valuable contest at Newton Abbot. He bounced back to winning form next time when easily beating East Tycoon in a better race than this at Market Rasen and should be up to defying a penalty. Stage By Stage reeled off a four-timer in the summer and returned with an excellent second behind progressive Hernandita. He has a bit to find on official ratings with the selection, but should still be in the shake up. Icy Prospect has plenty of scope for improvement following two recent victories and looks best of the remainder, however Football Crazy is the class act here and is a confident selection.
