held up, chased leaders 4th, weakened after 3 out
in touch, took closer order approaching 4th, led after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on well
held up, hampered 2nd, outpaced after 3 out, ridden and headway next, weakened flat
chased leaders, in 3rd when fell 2nd
held up behind, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on from last
prominent, tried to run out 5th, again 8th, soon pushed along and reminders, lost place next
held up, took closer order 6th, led 10th, headed after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
led, headed 8th, ridden and outpaced 11th, kept on from last
in touch, hampered 2nd, weakened approaching 10th, pulled up after 3 out
Our shortlist here consists of Forever Eyesofblue, Web Master, Wee Willow and Magenko, with the each-way vote going to Magenko. Much as the selection has won only one race, that being a course seller back in April 2002 from a five-pound lower mark, he has proven fairly consistent of late from around this mark and, in what is a modest event, has to be afforded some respect. Forever Eyesofblue did well when winning at Hexham from a nine-pound lower mark than today and, despite having been beaten from his revised mark since, acts on soft and could be more at home at this amateur level. He is also six pounds worse off for the five lengths that he beat Wee Willow over course and distance in October under similar conditions, so it should be close between them today. Web Master is another to have been beaten from revised marks since winning in February but is another that might appreciate this type of level. Harry Hooly, who was fourth in this race two years ago, has won from a higher mark but has a long absence to overcome, that last comment applying to Co Optimist and Just Tom, who have chances if fully wound up, but it is hard to build a strong case for any the others. Once again, then, the selection is Magenko.
