towards rear, close up over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened approaching 1f out
tracked leaders, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, edged left soon after, challenged leader when edged right inside final furlong, hard ridden to lead close home
in touch, ridden 3f out and not much room, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 1f out, challenged final furlong and headed close home
mid-division, ridden 4f out, chased leaders when short of room over 1f out, weakening when hung left final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden for headway 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
In an interesting and fairly tight-looking affair, we will opt for Kirkham Abbey ahead of Second Of May, Kernel Dowery and, possibly, Fantasy Crusader. Looking at the runners. Second Of May is a course winner, in which race he beat course regular Franksalot, so his mark looks a fair one and he could go well at a trip he has yet to try. Kernel Dowery is a course and distance winner but he was beaten off today's mark at Yarmouth last time, although he was slow to get going there after being sent off as favourite. Kirkham Abbey is six pounds better off for the length-and-a-half he finished behind Kernel Dowery over course and distance in June and has to be given a big shout on the basis of that form. After winning five races last year, the handicapper is also starting to relent slightly with him now too. Our Destiny is also a course and distance winner but has been beaten from his revised mark, while Fortune Point is weighted to go well now but has been disappointing of late. Of the others, Fantasy Crusader ran a fair race when third off today's mark over course and distance in May and should give you a run for your money. And much as Forge Lane came up against the progressive Masafi here last time, overall he still has something to prove.
