mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3 out, never on terms
tracked leader, hit 5th, lost place next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, ridden to stay in touch 4th, lost place 6th, tailed off from 3 out
held up and behind, headway approaching 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on well under pressure to lead final 50 yards, all out
chased leaders, stumbled after 6th, ridden 3 out, hit next, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4th, chased leader 6th, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened
led, pushed along after 3 out, ridden next, headed, no extra final 50 yards
held up in rear, headway 7th, chased leader after 3 out, hit next, soon ridden and one pace
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Not a bad little handicap that can be taken by Al Mabrook, with Oh So Brave and Ramblees Holly others for the short list. All three are course and distance winners, and Al Mabrook took his particular race when last seen over the sticks in May. Trip and ground clearly suit him, and from a trainer-jockey combination who do well here, he looks capable of scoring. Oh So Brave is in form and due to go up 5lb at the weekend. A recent course and distance winner himself, the grey comes from the in-form Evan Williams yard, and may just find that the penalty is too much to bear against such a course specialist. Of the others Ramblees Holly makes most appeal. The gelding also runs over his optimum trip and on the fast ground he loves, and though he does not come into the race in tip top form, he is expected to be thereabouts. A trappy race in its own way, and we will stick with Al Mabrook, who loves this place.
