mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always behind
chased leaders, outpaced 4f out, ridden and rallied over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
held up, never dangerous
keen, tracked leader, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear, ridden and some late headway over 2f out, never on terms
led, headed 6f out, driven to lead again 3f out to 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
never better than mid-division
chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, driven and headway from over 3f out, led 2f out, kept on well under pressure final furlong
held up and behind, headway on inside 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
towards rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
never better than mid-division
chased leaders, headway under pressure 3f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra final furlong
behind, headway under pressure from over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong nearest finish
never better than mid-division
chased leaders until ridden and weakened 2f out
Last time out winners Pantone and Market Avenue have obvious claims in this ultra-competitive handicap, along with the likes of Arcalis and Neckar Valley, but the vote goes to Trouble Mountain who is taken to follow up last year's success in this race. The selection showed he was back to form when a never nearer third of 17 in a lady rider¿s handicap at Beverley earlier in the week and, off the same mark today, Mick Easterby's gelding looks well worth a punt. Mark Johnston's Pantone has been an improved performer for the step up in trip recently and could still be ahead of the handicapper racing off just a 2lb higher mark than when winning at Sandown last time. She has to be respected. Richard Fahey's Market Avenue is likely to find this tougher than the four runner classified stakes race he won at Beverley last time and a bigger threat may come from stablemate Neckar Valley. Admittedly the four-year-old has gone up 10lbs since his most recent start but the gelding remains well treated on the pick of his Irish form. Lynda Ramsden's Arcalis is another to consider but he may need some luck in running. The consistent pair of Pinchincha and Siena Star are others worthy of a mention but Trouble Mountain is worth a bet at the forecast odds in the hope that he is ridden more positively here than last time.
