behind from 8f out
held up, ridden and headway 6f out, soon one paced
slowly into stride, headway 8f out, led on bit 3f out, soon ridden, headed 2f out, weakened 1f out
chased leaders, weakened over 5f out
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
always behind
chased leaders, headway 4f out, led 2f out, ridden out
mid-division, headway 7f out, weakened over 4f out
soon led, ridden over 4f out, headed 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, weakened 6f out
A low grade, but nonetheless competitive handicap to finish the day. Handicap debutante Astyanax is of obvious interest, as is course and distance Kirkham Abbey, the reluctant Tetragon, Bond May Day and Frixos, who absolutely bolted up at Wolverhampton last week in the first time blinkers and despite the 6lbs penalty he has to shoulder here, he still looks to be well treated and is taken to follow up. A half-brother to useful miler Lonesome Dude, he isn't guaranteed to stay this trip, but he looked a resolute galloper when demolishing his rivals at Dunstall Park and he is worth taking a chance with. Astyanax, after three outings in maiden company in just over a fortnight last year, all over an inadequate six-furlongs, can do better now that he tackles a trip, more in keeping with his breeding. From the same family as Park Hill winner Coigach, he comes into this off a platers mark and will be difficult to beat. Bond May Day is exposed, but he does stay this trip and effective on this surface, while there should be little between Kirkham Abbey and Tetragon, who filled the first two places over course and distance last month, on these revised terms, But the winner that day had a hard race to get his head in front, and Tetragon looks none to resolute and in any case neither looks good enough in this.
