reared start and slowly into stride, held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on same pace
tracked leader, hard driven over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
chase leader, reminder over 4f out, led over 3f out, soon hard ridden, held on well under pressure
held up in rear, under pressure 3f out, soon no impression
held up in touch, not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right, headway and switched left approaching final furlong, ridden to challenge, never reached winner
led, nudged along, driven and headed over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
A quality handicap in which ETON FABLE can put his course experience to good use and see off Chalice Welcome and Resplendent Light. Bill Radcliffe's gelding was far from disgraced at Pontefract on his final start, having won here the race before. He is now 9lb higher in the handicap for this reappearance but his proven course form is an asset and a bold bid is expected. Wind Star steps up in trip; he is consistent but has stamina to prove, although having won at Beverley over ten furlongs it shouldn't really be a question mark. Chalice Welcome chases a hat-trick after wins at Lingfield and Kempton but his form on the grass is not quite so hot and a mark of 83 demands more, although again an ability to act at the track is not in question. King Olav has a fair mark now returned to flat racing on the turf and he has had a very profitable winter, whilst the longer trip shouldn't be a problem for Perpetually. Resplendent Light makes his seasonal reappearance this afternoon and he brings a very solid level of handicap form to the race. His mark of 88 really shouldn't be a problem but his record on his first run of the season is very poor. This looks a fair chance for Eton Fable to make hay off his light weight.
Perpetually (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden 3f out, outpaced over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4l behind Shavansky (8-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) fm in Apr.
Resplendent Light 4-1 (9-9) Led, headed 3f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Lochiel (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Oct.
King Olav (UAE) 7-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 12l behind Red Cadeaux (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Chalice Welcome 12-1 (8-13) Held up in mid-division, headway towards inside over 1f out, stayed on on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr beating Scamperdale (8-12) by nk, 10 ran.
Wind Star 10-1 (9-4) Tracked leading pair, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind King's Masque (8-1) at Ffos Las 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Eton Fable (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon joined, ridden and headed over 1f out, driven and still every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Braveheart Move (9-1) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
