track leader, led 6th, clear 13th, very easily
headway 11th, pushed along 14th, no impression
held up in rear, headway 6th, closed up 12th, chased winner after 5 out, faded approaching last
in touch, lost place 10th, soon behind
towards rear, mistake 2nd, unseated rider next
led to 6th, chased winner to after 5 out, soon ridden, stayed on again flat, no chance with winner
not fluent, struggling halfway, never dangerous
in touch to halfway, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
Former Foxhunters' hero Earthmover has found a new lease of life this season, and was in the process of running another big race at this year's Festival when a blunder stopped him in his tracks behind Kingscliff. He has the class and ran well on his only other visit to Ayr two years ago when 11th in the Scottish National. Christian Williams normally rides but Paul Nicholls has put up Rilly Goschen to take weight off Earthmover's back and that should help his cause. Sparky Gayle is a six-times winner here but may find it tough against such a galloping front-runner, while the only other with a chance is Mister Muddypaws, but he would have to produce his best ever performance.
