prominent, led approaching 5th, hard ridden last, no extra when caught close home, ran on
in touch until weakened after 7th
prominent at 4th, ridden next, soon weakened and tailed off
held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out weakened next
held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
keen in touch, weakened 7th, tailed off when fell next
held up until fell heavily 4th
led headed approaching 5th, with leader until weakened 7th
keen in touch, hard ridden approaching 2 out, every chance last, led briefly 50 yards from line, caught close home
tracked leaders until weakened approaching 3out
held up and keen, headway 3rd, chased leaders until weakened 3 out
behind, reminders 6th, headway 7th, stayed on strongly to lead close home
held up, headway 4th, ridden after 3 out every chance 2 out, weakened flat.
A poor contest with recent winner Up The Glen, course and distance winner Captain O'Neill and old-timer Ballydavid, looking the most likely of these to take a hand in the finish. A chance is take with the latter, who comes from a stable in form and he is expected to strip sharper for his run at Uttoxeter last month, his first outing for a year. With the capable amateur Tom Best taking 5lbs off his back he is running off a mark of 68 and if he is ever to win a race, this is it. Up The Glen is consistent at this level and is sure to run well, despite having to give weight away all round, while this course appears to bring out the best in Captain O'Neill, who has won both of his races here. The latter is closely matched with Arden Hills on their running here back in February, but the latter has since disappointed, albeit in a slightly better contest at Newton Abbot and looks to have something to prove now. Formerly a useful hurdler/chaser, it is sad to see Forest Ivory plying his trade at this level, for he would pick these up and carry them at his best. However, he is clearly a light of former days and even this stiff two and a half miles will be an inadequate test for him.
