tracked leaders, ridden and quicken 2f out, stayed on to chase leading pair over 1f out, ran on well towards finish, just held.
raced in close 4th, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out.
took keen hold, settled in last pair, ridden and beaten 2f out
pulled hard, tracked leader, challenged and upsides 2f out, definite advantage over 1f out, ridden final furlong, held on well near finish.
led, joined 2f out, narrowly headed over 1f out, stayed challenging until lost 2nd final 100 yards and faded.
held up in last pair, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong.
held up in 7th, ridden and no headway final 2f.
close up in 5th, ridden and not quickened 2f out, ran on final furlong, took 3rd well inside final furlong, nearest finish.
This is a tight affair and from a shortlist of Welcome Stranger, African Sahara and, possibly, Goodbye Mr Bond, we will opt for Welcome Stranger. The selection has a progressive profile, scored in good style at Yarmouth last time and, with his rider taking off three pounds a five-pound rise in the ratings might not stop him. While Finished Article, Best Before, A Woman In Love, Lifted Way and Goodbye Mr Bond will all need career best performances to score, African Sahara and Jools are back to marks that we know they can win from, while you could conceivably make a similar statement about J R Stevenson. Prince Of Thebes is another that could be interesting on his handicap bow but, overall, we will side with Welcome Stranger.
