held up in touch, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always behind
behind, headway well over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
led, ridden and headway over 3f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, never troubled leaders
in touch, led over 3f out, all out
slowly into stride, always behind
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, short of room over 6f out, headway over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, not run on
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f
prominent till weakened over 3f out
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
always behind
mid-division, ridden and weakened final 3f
mid-division, never dangerous
A wide-open handicap can go to Swagger Stick, with Habanero, Hazyview and Charlie Tango just three likely dangers. This is probably the trickiest race on the card, with most of those with the best form returning from winter breaks, so it is only with a small degree of confidence that Swagger Stick gets the vote. John Dunlop's charge did not show a great deal on his first three starts, but came good big style when making his first venture into nursery company a winning one under Pat Eddery at Yarmouth. He then looked the unluckiest horse in the world on what was to be his final outing at Nottingham when missing the break completely, and then having nowhere to go when ridden back into contention by Pat. He should have been a lot closer than fourth, but as a result of that, starts the season potentially well handicapped, and as his improvement was rapid towards the back-end we can assume that there is a lot more to come. Habanero progressed last season and was rewarded with a smooth effort at Windsor on his final outing. He can pay to follow in handicaps along with Hazyview who has the assistance of Johnny Murtagh. Lisa Jones causes no surprises anymore with her prowess in the saddle and of course Glendale, on whom she got the better of this winter's headline horse Ballinger Ridge at Lingfield, is a little bit fitter than most. Mark Tompkins has his team in good shape so Bumptious may surprise with a good run under co-topweight as well, but without being too optimistic, Swagger Stick and Kevin Darley make most appeal.
