held up, headway over 6f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed 1f out, soon beaten
in touch, went 2nd after 5f, to over 5f out, weakened quickly
mid-division, lost place 7f out, soon behind
behind, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
prominent to over 6f out, soon behind
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden and lost place over 6f out, soon behind
in touch, went 2nd over 5f out to over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
slowly into stride, always behind
behind, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
held up, headway over 5f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, eased inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 6f out, not clear run over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
We never thought we would say this but Toni Alcala is the class act here and can beat Moonshine Bill and Rouge Et Noir. The selection has been regularly rated in the 60's and has put in some excellent efforts in competive handicaps, including a recent third behind the Cumani trained Zalimar. This is his first venture in banded company and he looks the one to be on. Rouge Et Noir is not the most straightforward of characters but if everything drops right he has the form to go very close in this type of company. The booking of Jamie Spenecer also catches the eye. Meanwhile Moonshine Bill is the mount of Chris Catlin and this one should be suited by this step up in distance. In a decent banded event Friedhelmo can also be given a squeak, but, although hard to win with, Toni Alcala is given a sporting vote.
Toni Alcala 15-2 (8-4) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Zalimar (9-3) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp (5) gd.
Moonshine Bill 12-1 (9-2) Led, quickened clear 7f out, headed and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 20l behind Ocean Rock (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f stk (7) pol.
