held up in rear, headway 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on run-in
held up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
chased leader, led after 3 out, ridden approaching last, ridden out
led, headed after 3 out, in 3rd and beaten when blundered last
chased leaders, lost place when hit 8th, never dangerous
tracked leaders, weakened from 10th
Garde Bien, Xaipete and Forest Dante are three against the field in another tight handicap and the vote goes to Garde Bien. The selection has been in the form of his life of late and has won his last two races in good style. Granted he is rising in the weights but he won with plenty in hand when defeating Waterspray over course and distance last time and with conditions again in his favour he is taken to defy the handicapper. Xaipete rates the main danger on his latest second behind Lauderdale but he continues to run well without winning and as a consequence he remains on a high enough mark. Forest Dante is another worthy of respect as he goes well at this track and won in game fashion last time out when defeating Benrajah but he has a seven pound penalty for that win and that may just find him out. Of the remainder Real Shady has the ability to go close but he has been let down by his jumping of late, while Themanfromcarlisle may need the run after a 417 day absence and for the winner we return to Garde Bien.
