took keen hold, held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on
held up, ridden and struggling 3f out
in touch on outside, headway to chase leaders 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, held up, headway 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on
chased leaders until lost place over 3f out
raced wide, in touch, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace
took keen hold, always prominent, led over 1f out, ridden and edged left final furlong, driven out
took keen hold, held up, ridden and no response over 2f out
soon chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 2f out
soon led, headed over 4f out, stayed prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
took keen hold, held up in rear, stayed on inside final furlong, no danger
An open handicap where we will take a chance on STEIG to win it for George Baker, while Fine Ruler and Lend A Grand have claims. The selection has won two of his last six starts, both over a mile at Brighton, but he has also got a 1m 4f win under his belt here at Dunstall Park, so stamina is in no doubt. The former Carl Llewellyn inmate has switched to George Baker since his last run which came in August and with his new yard going well and an apparently good mark here we'll side with him. Fine Ruler remains on a competitive rating and is likely to go well, but he has been beaten from this mark and the trip is not certain to be advantageous. Lend A Grand was a fair bit better than this in Ireland and showed signs of a return to form last time. Money for him would be interesting, although he has a poor draw. Kirtsy's Lad showed up well last time and he has won over course and distance, so from a reasonable mark he could make his presence felt but preference is for Steig.
Networker 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon one pace, 9th of 16, 8l behind Seneschal (9-1) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Fine Ruler (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Steadied start, took keen hold behind, steady headway over 1f out, kept on nearest finish, 6th of 13, 4l behind Having A Ball (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Lend A Grand (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Behind mid-division, headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, took 2nd final stride, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Having A Ball (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Steig (IRE) 10-3fav (9-12) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened, virtually pulled up final 2f, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Shamrock Lady (9-7) at Brighton 7f hcap (5) gs in Aug.
Bermacha 20-1 (8-13) Close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 9l behind Young Bertie (8-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Princess Gee 40-1 (9-6) In touch, lost place over 2f out, 15th of 16, 41l behind Lilburn (9-6) at Yarmouth 1m hcap (6) gs in Aug.
Hits Only Cash 14-1 (9-3) Mid-division on outside, weakened 3f out, last of 12, 19l behind Hucking Heat (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Sarwin (USA) 16-1 (8-8) Close up, not clear run on rail well over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 11, 13l behind Mr Macattack (9-10) at Wolverhampton 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Kirstys Lad 14-1 (10-11) Prominent, raced keenly, pushed along over 2f out, not clear run entering final furlong, soon switched right, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Rossini's Dancer (10-9) at Wolverhampton 1m am hcp (6) pol.
Gambling Jack 20-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 11, 10l behind Head Down (8-12) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Stark Contrast (USA) 14-1 (8-1) Held up in rear, driven and beaten 2f out, 8th of 9, 21l behind Becuille (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Copperwood 3-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Prince Rossi (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcap (6) pol in Feb.
Alseraaj (USA) 25-1 (8-4) Held up in rear, effort over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never trouble leaders, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Vinces (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
