mid-division, ridden over 5f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, and every chance, kept on one pace after
tracked leaders, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened
always towards rear
towards rear, outpaced and ridden after 4f, ridden and headway over 3f out, chased leaders, kept on one pace
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden 6f out, weakened over 2f out
driven to lead, ridden over 3f out, headed 2f out, kept on one pace after
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to lead 2f out and kept on
held up, ridden over 4f out, headway from over 2f out, not reached winner
Little Tobias will handle the ground and gets the vote in a tricky start to proceedings, with Platinum Charmer, Spring Breeze and Gran Dana just three more to consider. There was cut in the ground when Little Tobias scored over two miles at Catterick last year, so he should have no problems today, providing he is able to lie up with the pace. Andy Turnell's charge finished stone last on fast ground at Pontefract a week ago, but he remains far better treated than over hurdles, and the trainer will be keen to squeeze a win out of him on the level before he goes jumping again. He cannot run as badly as he did at the Yorkshire track and it would be no surprise if he bounced back. Platinum Charmer is not sure to like the going but seemed to stay this sort of trip when second on the fibresand in March, while Spring Breeze has won over a trip and handles the ground, so is another to enter calculations. Gran Dana is out of form and is not sure to stay the trip so is hard to fancy, and in what is a real puzzle, Little Tobias is the pick to minimum stakes.