in touch, ridden 2f out, every chance final furlong, kept on
raced wide, ridden and behind 3f out
led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, ran on
led 1f, ridden 3f out, one pace
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
behind, some headway final furlong, never nearer
behind, hampered soon after, not much room over 2f out, headway on inside well over 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
On The Trail is one of the first that catches the eye, this four-time course winner having made the most of dropping to a reasonable mark of late. David Chapman's five-year-old travelled like the winner for most of the way at Southwell last time but the seventh furlong just stretched his stamina, and he had to settle for second spot. Prior to that he had held on well over six furlongs, and that distance is the key to his success here. Luke Fletcher takes 5lb off his back which adds to our optimism. Sal's Gal, claimed from Peter Makin after scoring over the course and distance, was a beaten favourite on her first start for Nick Littmoden, but this is less tough than that handicap, so she should not be far away. Resonate and Tigress both visited the winner's enclosure on their latest starts, with the former's effort at Doncaster resulting in a move from Michael Jarvis to Tony Newcombe. Trained in Ireland and Italy in the past, the delights of the sand will be a new experience for him, and he is one to watch, especially in this company. On The Trail looks better value though.
