with leader, led 6f out, headed well over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
led at steady pace, headed 6f out, prominent, led well over 2f out, soon ridden and headed, one pace final furlong
held up behind, smooth headway from 2f out to lead just inside final furlong, ran on well, readily
held up behind and never dangerous
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led inside 2f out, soon ridden, headed just inside 1f out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden well over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, headway 6f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
dwelt, in touch until 3f out, soon behind
Many ifs and buts about the runners exist but Midnight Song, Nominate and Laggan Bay look to be the ones against the field. Ed Dunlop's charge has looked likely to take a handicap in the near future for quite some time and certainly did not disgrace himself behind subsequent winner, Coat of Honour at Pontefract. A second to Rebate was to follow soon after but today's step up to an extended eleven furlongs is not sure to suit as his sire tends to produce more winners over significantly shorter trips than today. Nominate is owned by a very shrewd group of owners and they rarely buy horses of moderate ability. A third to Strategy at Warwick looks good on paper but there were some very slow horses behind. Paul Cole's yard are in good form at the moment and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise if more improvement were found today. We prefer to side with Laggan Bay. He has become frustrating to follow but he has fewer questions than most to answer. He stays the trip has form on the ground and hails from a yard that are sending out winners. He was held when finishing second to Anticipating at Salisbury last week but is probably better judged on a fifth to the useful Trouble At Bay at Newbury a couple of weeks previously. Through that logic, Andrew Balding should know what is required to beat him but Marabello doesn't look any great shakes. Peak Park catches the eye from the James Toller stable. His handicapped runs cane over significantly shorter than this and today's race represents a massive step up in trip. Any market confidence should not be ignored. In conclusion, this is a tricky handicap with many holding both positive and negative points. Laggan Bay has proved difficult to win with but he has fewer questions than most to answer and we shall give him the narrow vote here.
