in touch far side, ridden halfway and soon weakened
towards rear, stand side, ridden over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
mid-division far side, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
tracked leaders far side, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders far side, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led outright stand side, ridden over 2f out, headed 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, stand side, ridden over 2f out, kept on well final furlong
tracked leaders stand side, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, to lead outright inside final furlong, kept on well
in touch stand side, led outright 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division stand side, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
led far side, ridden over 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
mid-division far side, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
in touch far side, ridden over 2f out, kept on well to lead far side inside final furlong
in touch far side, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
tracked leader stand side, ridden over 2f out and every chance, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders stand side, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
always towards rear, far side
chased leaders stand side, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
behind stand side, ridden halfway, some headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division stand side, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
behind stand side, ridden over 2f out, no impression
always towards rear, stand side
always towards rear, stand side
always towards rear, stand side
Form over slightly further can be a good advantage here so the case in favour of Haulage Man is compelling enough to forgive the gelding a rare poor run last time and he is selected over a long list of dangers that includes: Fonthill Road, CD Flyer and Machinist, who are all very hard to ignore. The same can be said of the locally-trained Ptarmigan Ridge, who will appreciate the ground, Ellens Academy, who still retains plenty of enthusiasm, while Bond Playboy is very lightly weighted and arrives here at the top of his game. Add to that the other three David Nicholls-trained runners and the competition rises further. Nicholls sent out Native Title to win this race last year and he should make a bold bid in this repeat bid. However, he is 9lb higher in the weighs this time and will do well to come out on top this time. The Thirsk-based handler's best runner may prove to be Pieter Brueghel, who likes to be up with the pace and is handily drawn to nab the near side rail if he is live to the gates. However, he may be susceptible to a strong finisher and we take him on with Haulage Man, who is drawn just one from the stands rail and will benefit from the early tow as things unfold. Kevin Ryan's charge will be just getting going when others have cried enough and, as past results will bear out, Haulage Man's extra stamina can become a big bonus at this time of the year.