prominent early, stayed in touch, hit 3rd, weakened 3 out
held up in rear, struggling 5th, tailed off next
held up in rear, mistake 6th, stayed on approaching 2 out, kept on flat, never nearer
rapid headway to lead 2nd, pushed along 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders when mistake 2 out, weakened before last
in touch until weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, led before next, headed last, not quicken flat
led to 2nd, stayed prominent, went 2nd 5th, one pace from next
A wide open handicap rounds off the card and many would have chances on there best form but the principals look to be Sunley Future,Batswing and Dolzago and the tentative vote is given to Sunley Future. The selection has dropped to a handy mark and with the return to this faster surface sure to suit he looks the value bet in an open affair. Batswing rates the main danger on his best form especially as the switch in stable could revive his enthusiasm he should be noted in the market. Dolzago is another worthy of respect but he may just need the run after a 427 day absence. Of the remainder Bonny Grey is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks high enough in the weights and for the winner we return to Sunley Future.
Bonny Grey 13-2 (11-5) Pulled hard, tracked leader after 2nd until after 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Theocritus (10-10) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) sft.
Batswing 66-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, 11th of 24, 26l behind Fota Island (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Mar.
Hail The King (USA) 8-1 (11-8) Held up, some headway 5th, driven 3 out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 19l behind Incursion (11-2) at Haydock 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Oct.
Dolzago 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, hit 2 out, driven and held on flat, won at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf in Sept '04 beating Forever Dream (11-5) by a nk, 13 ran.
Sunley Future (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Pulled hard, in touch, hit 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, beaten when fell at the last in race won by Jeremy Cuddle Duck (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct, 11 ran.
Private Benjamin 20-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, ridden, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 20l behind Phar Out Phavorite (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gf in Oct.
Domenico (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, last of 9, 49l behind Into The Shadows (10-13) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs.
Isam Top (FR) 22-1 (11-1) Chased leader, every chance last, stayed on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Distant Romance (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f cnd sll hcp hdl (G) gd in Oct.
