chased leaders until weakened over 2f out
in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon switched right, stayed on final furlong, no impression
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to lead post
chased leaders, went 2nd from over 5f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, headed post
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leader until over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off final furlong
There is not much to split a few of these but, as Sporting Gesture meets Court Of Appeal on slightly better terms than the last time they came into opposition, the Mick Easterby-trained gelding is fancied come out on top today. Stallone and Danelor are others that will not make it easy for the selection though, and money in the ring to back the claims of either will be interesting. However, Sporting Gesture, who already has three previous course victories to his name, looks to have been laid out for a bold show on his return to the Knavesmire. The seven-year-old does have to race off a 6lb higher mark than he did when winning this race last year and will need to be at the top of his game to force a repeat result. However, to counterbalance that, he is set to encounter his ideal conditions and gets on very well with today's jockey, who has one of the best records for a Lady rider at this track.
