mid-division, not fluent 3rd, lost place and struggling 5th, not fluent next
held up in rear, hampered bend after 3rd, headway after 6th, outpaced when not fluent 2 out, stayed on towards finish
tracked leaders, chased winner 4th until after 6th, slighty outpaced approaching 2 out, no impression but stayed on to go 2nd flat, lost that position close home
took keen hold, soon steadied into mid-division, headway 6th, soon lost place, stayed on from 2 out, kept on well flat to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner
took keen hold in touch, chased winner after 6th, no impression last, lost 2nd and weakened flat
mid-division, took keen hold, jumped slowly and lost place 2nd, struggling 6th, moderate 7th 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, taken to outside backstraight, headway when hit 5th, weakened after next
took keen hold, tracked winner until hit 4th, ridden after next, lost place 6th, soon struggling
held up in rear, headway when mistake 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
made all, jumped right and not fluent 6th, soon went clear, not so far ahead 2 out, drew clear flat, unchallenged
LIGHTENING ROD is our call with Royal Flynn and Frank Crow the others to enter calculations. Mick Easterby's inmate has looked particularly progressive in tough conditions and with Ollie Greenall full value for his 3lb claim; we are confident of another big run. Royal Flynn is in receipt of lumps of weight. His second to Shadrack at this course reads well in the context of this race. Frank Crow has dropped 7lb since his last outing. A decent performer on the flat, it will be interesting to assess the market vibe. Elk Trail wasn't a bad sort in claiming grade for Pam Sly though has since left that stable. Dabaratsa won a Worcester claimer and has to be respected, as would any raider, from the Timmy Vaughan yard. Don't Rush It makes his debut for John Quinn. Aggravation has taken on some hot novice company in the past so it would be no surprise to see him showing improvement for the switch into handicaps. Domino Dancer appears best of the others but having considered the alternatives, Lightening Rod looks the most likely to strike this afternoon.
Frank Crow 20-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, some headway 4 out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 14, 25l behind Tranos (10-4) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Jul '08.
Lightening Rod 7-2fav (11-8) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden and stayed on to go 3rd between last 2, no impression flat, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Grandad Bill (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Elk Trail (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, some headway 4 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Cobbler's Queen (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Don't Rush It (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Mid-division, lost touch after 4 out, behind when pulled before 2 out, in a race won by Borrowaddy (11-11) at Kilbeggan 3m hcp hdl 0-116 gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Harry The Hawk 13-2 (10-8) Alway prominent, challenged 3 out, led next, ridden, blundered last soon headed, no extra flat, 5th of 13, 11l behind Leith Walk (9-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
Aggravation 100-1 (11-1) Held up, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, no impression, 9th of 14, 25l behind Tocca Ferro (11-4) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Toledo Gold (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, one pace from 3 out, 7th of 16, 12l behind Blue Nymph (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Domino Dancer (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, lost place 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression from next, 5th of 11, 14l behind Grandad Bill (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Royal Flynn 11-2 (10-13) Held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, one pace 2 out, 4th of 18, 16l behind Vecchio Senso (10-10) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
King's Counsel (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) With leaders, ridden after 4 out, no impression from next, 4th of 11, 19l behind Stormy Weather (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Dabaratsa (FR) 3-1fav (11-8) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4th to approaching 3 out, still every chance, weakened from 2 out, left modest 4th last, 4th of 7, 7l behind Ocean Transit (11-3) at Ludlow 2m mares hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
