in touch, until ridden and weakened over 2f out
very slow into stride, always in rear
always in touch, ridden 3f out, every chance 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
held up, headway over 5f out, went 2nd over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
prominent, lost place over 5f furlong out, ridden over 4f out, rallied 2f out, stayed on final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, headway when slipped on bend over 4f out
chased winner, ridden 2f out, every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, never in contention
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, every chance, ran on inside final furlong
dwelt, ridden 4f out, switched right over 1f out, some headway but soon one pace
made all, clear after 2f, pushed along 3f out, held on well inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden over 4f out
slowly into stride, behind, headway when switched left over 1f out, nearest at finish
mid-division, til ridden 4f out, weakened quickly, soon tailed off
A tricky opener at Chepstow can go to Mr Dip, who has fewer questions to answer than Bojangles and Danebank on the predicted ground and gets the slenderest of votes of confidence. A handful of the rest are worth noting in running as they prepare for the up-and-coming jumps season. Especially the likes of Marrel and Greyfield, as they appear to have lost a little speed for this game and may be worth saving for another day. By way of contrast, Lunar Lord, who could also find himself over timber again shortly, but has fared well on the level in the last few weeks. He has place claims once more in this company. Bojangles and Danebank are closely matched on recent form and are entitled to respect at this level. However, both would appreciate a little more ease in the ground and have their work cut out on these terms today. Which brings us back to Mr Dip, who is still lightly raced and has more scope for improvement than many over a trip that obviously suits. The Tony Carroll-trained gelding did well behind an obviously well handicapped rival the last time he raced at this course and, as his yard have been extremely profitable to follow on their visits to this track over the last five years, Mr Dip is the first one to look at for us when the betting market starts to warm up.