tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace
raced keen and held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression
slowly into stride, raced keen and held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
close up, led 3f out, ridden out
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced keen and held up in rear, ridden 3f out, soon no impression
The David Nicholls-trained Eton makes another quick appearance following recent wins at Pontefract and Beverley and a narrow defeat at Hamilton on Monday. The six-year-old is undoubtedly well treated at present, even under his 6lb penalty, but the suggestion earlier this week was that all the racing in such a short period was beginning to catch up with the gelding and he looks opposable. Blue Leader makes his handicap debut having opened his account in a Goodwood maiden last month but has been given no easy task off a mark of 84. Iron Mountain, who has gone well here in the past, has not recaptured his best form since leaving Neville Callaghan's stable, while Kylkenny is probably better on the all-weather than on turf. The promising Ryan Moore takes the ride on Richard Hannon's consistent Another Secret but the one that gets the TEAMtalk vote is the Pip Payne-trained Bandler Ching. The five-year-old caught the eye in defeat at Yarmouth last time, when unable to get a clear run, and off just a 3lb higher mark he looks worth supporting to make amends for a costly defeat when well supported.
