slowly into stride, held up behind, headway over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead over 1f out, kept on
held up, always behind
track leader, headway over 4f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, not quickened final furlong
chase leaders, ridden and lost place 4f out, soon weakened
held up behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace for more then 1f out, no impression
led, headed 3f out, soon ridden, weakened entering final furlong
In a weak opening contest, this should lie between Forbearing and Dancing Nymph, with the former just preferred. Sir Mark Prescott's gelding won in this grade at York last month, but then disappointed when favourite at Chester. Although probably not as good as he once was, he may still have too much pace for this weak opposition. Dancing Phantom is now eight years old and has changed hands over the winter. He was a smart performer at one time in his career, and although he has not shown a great deal in two starts this season, he is still treated as a big threat in this sort of company. The remainder have something to find on official ratings, but Eton, runner-up in handicap company at Ayr last month, cannot be totally ruled out. This is probably not a race to get too heavily involved in, but Forbearing looks the one they all have to beat.