towards rear, ridden halfway, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on well close home
dwelt, behind, ridden over 3f out, headway and switched left over 1f out, stayed on
led, headed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
close up, ridden 2f out, chased winner final furlong, no extra well inside final furlong
with leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, kept on well
always behind
very slowly away, reluctant to race, tailed off
in touch, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly away, always behind
chased leaders, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, faded final furlong
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
Ayr Gold Cup winner Funfair Wane is fancied to regain the winning thread here by making all from his good draw, with Dragon Flyer and Royal Beacon the main dangers. David Nicholls' charge has yet to fire this season and raced far too keenly at Thirsk last time to show his true ability. However, with a couple of runs now under his belt, he should be fit and ready for this event, and if he can return to anything like the form he showed when making all in that valuable handicap last year, then he will be very hard to peg back. Dragon Flyer was just touched off in Listed-company at Bath last time, and would certainly have claims on that performance, but it should be noted that all of his wins have come over the minimum trip. A bigger danger could come from Mark Johnston's Royal Beacon, a speedy juvenile who took on some strong company last season and, with the stable in such strong form, can be sure to lack nothing for fitness on his seasonal return. Danger Over beat a decent field at Kempton last time, and holds a few of these rivals on that form, but Jamie Osborne's horse has not been blessed with a good draw, often vital at this course, so for that reason he is passed over.
