always towards rear
prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, held up and keen, clip heels over 6f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden and lost place over 4f out, soon behind
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
always behind
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on
Almond Willow showed improved form when second to Silverhay over course and distance on a soft surface last month and is taken to go one better at the main expense of Sabrina Brown and Boppys Princess. The last mentioned won an apprentices' handicap at Beverley on her reappearance last month and was not disgraced behind Joshua's Gold off her new mark subsequently. Another 2lb rise since then looks harsh though and a bigger threat may come from Sabrina Brown. Toby Balding's filly is still a maiden but has run well in defeat, most notably behind Kryssa at Chepstow last month, and may be open to more improvement. Top weight Charlie Tango looks plenty high enough in the weights at present and of more interest may be the Stuart Williams-trained Dont Call Me Derek, particularly if the market speaks in his favour. Miss Ladybird has claims if fit enough on her reappearance but Almond Willow has an obvious chance on the evidence of his latest start and gets the vote.