held up, headway 7th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no chance with winner
mid-division, lost place 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, pushed along 7th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
held up and behind, steadied approaching 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, never trouble leaders
behind, headway under pressure approaching 8th, ridden when mistake next, soon weakened
chased leaders until lost place 6th, soon behind
made all, drew clear from 6th, eased down flat when challenged
chased winner, lost place approaching 4 out, soon ridden, beaten when mistake 2 out
A competitive field goes to post for this novices handicap with many in form rivals including Hurricane Bay, Solway Gale and Raise Your Glass and we will take a chance on Hurricane Bay. The gelding from the Peter Niven yard was a good second behind Bolton Barrie last time and a reproduction of that effort would make him hard to beat. Solway Gale rates the main danger he was a good winner last time when defeating Roppongi Dancer but he will find it harder in this more competitive contest under his penalty. Raise Your Glass is also worthy of respect he won well last time out when defeating Son Of Ross but hat was in a seller and he will need to have improved again to win this. Of the remainder Stallone has place claims on his best form but he does not really so out this trip so we are happy to side with Hurricane Bay.