prominent, disputed lead 10th, ridden 2 out, stayed on to lead last, driven out
never better than mid-division
led to 8th, chased leaders when blundered 11th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, went 2nd flat
mistakes, always behind
raced keenly in rear, headway 9th, hit 11th, chased leaders 4 out, led next, blundered 2 out, headed and no extra last
towards rear, kept on one pace from 3 out, never on terms
mid-division, lost place 11th, soon weakened
chased leaders, lost place 9th, behind when blundered 11th, pulled up before 4 out
raced keenly in touch, led 8th, blundered next, headed 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, mistake 4 out, never on terms
mid-division, outpaced 11th, soon ridden, kept on, no impression from 3 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, no impression when hit next
always behind, mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders until ridden and weakened 3 out
Quite an open handicap here, but it can pay to follow the 'horses for courses' maxim and side with Camp Hill, who can get the better of Native Eire, Lochiedubs and Mulkev Prince. John Haldane's gelding is a regular here, having won two of his last three races at the track, both on heavy ground. Clearly more rain would be to his benefit, but with track and trip so much in his favour and the likelihood of at least some cut, he is taken to defy his latest rise and just have the edge. Native Eire receives a handy 9lb from the selection, goes on the ground and sees out the trip well, so he is clearly no back number. However, he was contesting a seller only two start ago, and two wins might just mean that the handicapper has caught up with him now. Lochiedubs is another with ability but exposed after a slightly disappointing effort at Market Rasen last time. His win at Newcastle two runs ago was on virtually unraceable ground and unless the heavens open he could be found wanting again. Of the others, Simlet is admirably consistent, but a victim of that as far as the weights are concerned, while old man of the party Mulkev Prince has been tumbling down the weights, but he has plenty to find with the selection here, and for that we return to Camp Hill.