mid-division, headway after 4th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, mistake 4th, headway approaching 5th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed last, one pace
keen, chased leader, led after 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened quickly
held up, headway after 4 out, every chance from 3 out, ridden approaching last, weakened flat
chased leaders until after 3rd, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led, headed after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 4 out, led last, ridden out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Senna da Silva and Dark Society are both due to go up considerably in future handicaps following recent wins and preference is for the former, who gets the vote with The Local rated the best of the remainder. Senna da Silva has won his last two starts, latterly when never off the bit to hold Devote by six lengths at Newton Abbot. A 7lb penalty for that success should not be enough to stop a horse who is on top of the game right now and is set to go up 15lbs from Saturday. Dark Society is set for an 11lb rise following his win in a conditional jockeys' handicap at Kempton last week and has to be respected but has to race from out of the handicap proper and that may prevent a follow up. Recent dual winner Saorsie found things tougher in a better race last time and may again find this too hard, while top weight Forbearing has left Martin Pipe's stable since last being seen over hurdles. A bigger threat may come from Charlie Egerton's The Local who hails from a stable that knows how to get one ready after an absence and has the assistance of Tony McCoy. Senna da Silva has an obvious chance though and he gets the vote.