mid-division, pushed along 3f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ran on final furlong, not reach winner
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
never better than mid-division
held up mid-division, steady headway over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, kept on well
dwelt, towards rear, never dangerous
dwelt, pushed along on outside, never a factor
mid-division, effort over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, never troubled leaders
tracked leader, led over 3f out, quickened 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
towards rear, never dangerous
always towards rear, never dangerous
Another large, competitive field for this trappy handicap. Last years winner Island Light has more to do this time around, especially off a 9lbs higher mark. He looks to have something to prove now after a below par effort at Doncaster last month. Invader has suffered at the hands of the handicapper since winning at Ripon last Spring. He is still 5lbs higher and will need to come down a bit more before he troubles the judge. Tough Love, who has been absent for nearly a year, goes well fresh and doesn't look badly treated, although this half-brother to a couple of winning sprinters, does have to prove he stays this far. A chance is taken with Atlantic Ace, who had no luck in running in the Lincoln. Bryan Smart's six-year-old did nothing but improve all through last season and was somewhat unlucky to only pick up two races along the way. He has no easy task under top weight, but he could well still have some improvement in him and he is a tentative choice in an open race. Others to consider include Definite Guest, who will be far happier over this trip, rather than the seven-furlongs he faced at Kempton and Petrula, who starts this season on his lowest mark since last June.
