mid-division weakened approaching 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, driven after 7th, soon struggling, tailed off
held up, headway 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, no impression from next
towards rear, driven after 7th, soon struggling, pulled up after 3 out
led, hit 6th, headed next, ridden and weakened from 4 out
mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, stayed on from 2 out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 8th, soon chasing leader, ridden approaching last, driven out to lead towards finish
chased leader, led 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on and headed towards finish
always towards rear, weakened from 8th, never dangerous
towards rear and pushed along, tailed off from 8th
always towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, until pushed along from 7th, soon lost place, tailed off
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last
held up, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, tailed off from 3 out
Epicure, Tam O'Shanter and Littleton Valar are three against the field in this competitive opener and the tentative vote goes to Tam O'Shanter. The selection has been in good form of late handles most types of ground and a reproduction of his latest second behind Mighty Minster would make him hard to beat.Epicure rates the main danger on his latest third behind Khatani but all his best form is on fast ground and if the rains arrive he would be readily opposed. Littleton Valour finished in mid-division behind Princess Grec in a better race last time and that form has since been franked so he has definite place claims. Of the remainder Regal Vintage was a fair second behind Books way last time and is another that could go well but in a race that throws up more questions than answers for the winner we return to Tom O'Shanter.
