chased leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed post
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on to lead post
led, clear over 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
In a race where Night Spot, Nordwind and Doctored all have to be seriously considered, the vote goes to Spring Jim. The selection was an unlucky-in-running third at Kempton last time when things did not quite go according to plan. He's been raised four pounds for that effort, which is fair in some ways, and, if he fully stays this 10-furlong trip, looks to hold solid claims. Doctored has risen 14 pounds in the ratings as a consequence of winning six of his last seven races, a quite remarkable sequence by both horse and trainer, David Evans. He is not without a chance here also, having defied a rating of 71 to narrowly score at Newmarket last time. However, he might just be vulnerable under his penalty. Night Spot hasn't revealed his true colours yet and could go well. He's had two runs at 10 furlongs this season. The first was when behind the St Leger-bound Frank Sonata in a competitive handicap, and in the second he he was unsuited by the way the race was run. Nordwind, who cost 110,000 guineas, also looks progressive. After displaying promise on Turf, he came good on Lingfield's all-weather last time and is entitled to improve again over this longer trip. To us, these look to be the principals, with the vote, as we say, going to Spring Jim.
