switched left start, soon behind, never dangerous
behind, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final 2f, never nearer
held up midfield, ridden over 3f, soon weakened
never better than midfield
raced keenly, chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f, weakened inside final furlong
held up and behind, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f, stayed on under pressure
midfield, ridden over 2f, soon weakened
chased leaders until ridden and weakened 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 3f, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders until saddle slipped 6f
midfield, headway 4f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and effort over 3f, soon weakened
behind, switched right and headway 5f out, soon ridden and behind
chased leaders, headway on inside 2f out, led well over 1f out, ridden and held on well inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakend final furlong
held up and behind, headway 4f out, driven and not much room 3f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong
behind, ridden and switched right 4f out, never dangerous
chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 1f out
always behind
The now traditional start to the new flat season is hardly an easy one for punters to cut their teeth on. Last year this went to Mick Easterby's Middlethorpe, and he looks likely to make a bold showing once again. His form tailed off towards the end of last season, but as a result he races off the same mark as last year, and he has been running well over hurdles recently so his fitness can be taken on trust. There is a slight worry that the ground may be on the fast side for him, but if the going report can be trusted then he seems sure to run a big race. Al Azhar progressed well last year at the grand old age of eight, winning no fewer than three times and his form when fifth in the Cumberland Plate reads very well in the context of this race. He has been absent for five months but has gone well fresh in the past, and as long as he is tuned up for this he should be a leading player. David Nicholls' Eton is another leading contender, who would not mind the ground being a bit faster. He has won in the past for today's jockey, Clare Roche, and is another who has gone well fresh in the past, so is an obvious one for the shortlist. Others to consider are Mick Channon's El Pedro, who is well-in on his all-weather form, Amanda Perrett's Leicester winner, Our Imperial Bay, and Mark Johnston's dour stayer Hearthstead Pride. We suggest waiting for the latest going report, and as long as the ground is not too fast we would give Middlethorpe the nod, with Eton the likely alternative.
