mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
pulled hard, behind, headway over 9f out, ridden and not much room over 1f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden over 6f out, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
behind, ridden over 3f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
started slowly, headway to track leaders after 2f, ridden over 6f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, not clear run over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
After a promising return to action, over an inadequate trip, Jack Dawson has been somewhat disappointing since, and as the ground looked to be riding slow around here yesterday, it looks as though the ground has gone against him. With so many of these suited to a faster surface it may pay to take a chance with Essnaad, who is out of a mare that won twice on soft ground. Barry Hills was completing a treble on this card last year when landing this contest with Prairie Falcon and it could well be the same this time around. Essnaad does have to prove he stays this far, but he was an easy winner over an extended mile-and-a-half at Warwick and if he is to get two-miles, this is the easiest track in the country to get it. Opportune stays well and is in good form, but he is much better when he can hear his feet rattle, while a similar comment also applies to Musselburgh winner Forever My Lord. Allez Mousson has finished well beaten in this event for the past two seasons and it is hard to see doing any better this time around, so with doubts about the ground for most of the runners, Essnaad is a hopeful selection to complete a Barry Hills treble.
