always well behind
mid-division, pushed and headway 2f out, stayed on strongly to lead well inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along halfway, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
dwelt, towards rear, ridden 3f out, stayed under pressure final 2f
led for one and a half furlong, tracked leader after, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led after one and a half furlong, ridden over 2f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong
dwelt, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 2f out, no extra approaching final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, brief effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, some headway halfway, ridden over 2f, still weakened
David Barron's Blakeset has won his last three starts (in selling and claiming company) but will find the opposition today tougher and is passed over in favour of Mr Bountiful, who gets the verdict over stablemate Smith N Allan Oils. The last mentioned appears in the handicapper's grip if judged but his last time out effort at Carlisle and a bigger threat to the selection may be the Davis Nicholls-trained Bannister. The son of Inchinor was good value for his length defeat of Blessingindisguise here last time but that was over five furlongs and the five-year-old may not be suited by the return to this trip. Plutocrat, a winner here over seven furlongs, two starts ago, and the consistent pair of Earlston and H Harrison are others to consider. However, Mr Bountiful gets the vote. The Michael Dods-trained five-year-old showed that he has the necessary speed for today's trip when chasing home Speedfit Free at Ayr last time. A 2lb rise since then looks fair and, under Royston Ffrench, he gets the verdict in a competitive heat.
