in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on approaching final furlong, not much room inside final furlong
in touch, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
slowly away, behind, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
with leader, ridden and weakened 3f out
always prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, ran on final furlong
mid-division, effort 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, switched right final furlong, stayed on strongly
slowly away, behind and pushed along, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, not reach winner
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, no impression
always behind, tailed off final 3f
behind, ridden 3f out, headway over 2f, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2f out, soon weakened
close up, ridden and weakened approaching 2f out
always towards rear, eased over 1f out
Air Of Esteem is just preferred in a fairly competitive seller with Requestor, Bond Mirage and Stallone the main dangers. The David Nicholls-trained Air Of Esteem is a consistent performer at this level and followed a Southwell claiming success last month with a highly creditable second in useful handicap company at Newcastle last week. The son of Forzando takes a drop in grade and should prove hard to beat off his current mark. Requestor has been well below his best on the all-weather during the winter but bounced back to form when landing a selling hurdle earlier in the month and clearly has claims at this lowly level but Bond Mirage looks held by the selection on Southwell form. Stallone stepped up on recent efforts when placed in selling company at Beverley last time but is on a long losing sequence and this is tougher. Erupt has claims on the pick of his form but was disappointing last time and may find conditions too quick.
