chased leaders, pushed along when hampered 2f out, no chance after
tracked winner until ridden 2f out, no extra final furlong
made all, stayed on strongly final furlong
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, effort and chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, effort over 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden when not clear run 2f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, one pace under pressure
slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous
A 6lb penalty could make life difficult for him, but Kirkby's Treasure is a gutsy sort who can defy that to win here, with Stoic Leader and Young Mr Grace also likely to be on the premises. The selection had the better of Stoic Leader by one-and-a-quarter lengths at Musselburgh last time out in a competitive handicap and in effect the penalty means that his rival should be able to turn the tables here. That is clearly a possibility and you could do worse than have them in a reversed forecast, but Kirkby's Treasure is all heart and with more rain forecast he could really come into his own and just shades the vote. Young Mr Grace drops back to seven furlongs from a mile and will also appreciate any more rain. He has been running consistently well this year and another good run looks on the cards, though a place looks the best he can hope for until he takes a drop in the weights. For the winner then, we return to Kirkby's Treasure.