behind, ridden over 2f out, kept on approaching final furlong, no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace inside last
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, soon led, clear inside last easily
always behind
was in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside last, no chance with winner
led early, prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, saddle slipped after one and half furlongs out, eased over 2f out
soon keen and led, ridden and hung left over 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out
The lightly raced Low Cloud is bound to be popular with backers off a mark of 85 for his handicap debut but is far from certain to handle the testing conditions and is passed over in favour of Strong Hand, who gets the vote over hat-trick seeking Hov. The selection is a confirmed mudlark having won twice on a soft surface, including at Hamilton last time when beating Captain Venti by a neck. A 5lb rise since then leaves Strong Hand with more to do but, with conditions to suit, Mick Easterby's filly has to be the selection. Dual Southwell winner Hov has yet to prove he is as effective on turf and a bigger threat to the selection may come from Tim Easterby's Flighty Fellow, who has shown an ability to handle testing conditions in the past. The unexposed Moarban has claims but Strong Hand will be difficult to beat with trip and going to suit.