towards rear, switched left and headway over 2f out, ran on final furlong
chased leaders, hampered when not much room over 1f out, not recovered
led, headed over 3f out, effort over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, weakened inside
never better than mid-division
mid-division, effort when not much room over 1f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, chased along halfway, never near to challenge
tracked leader, pushed along halfway, effort over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon beaten
prominent, pushed along over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, kept on final furlong
mid-division, pushed along 2f out, not much room over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, hampered over 1f out and not recovered
never better than mid-division
outpaced, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, headway when not clear run over 1f out, switched left and stayed on final furlong
prominent, pushed along 2f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, kept on final furlong
prominent, pushed along over 2f out, effort when not clear run approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
As is only to be expected, this is a very tough finale and the selection of Distant Country is made in the hope that Linda Ramsden's charge overcome a 3lb higher mark and repeat his course and distance success from the back end of last season. Stablemate Trojan Flight will help to deflect the attentions of much of the betting market, while Harrison Point, Bi Polar and Cloud Dancer are others to place on the shortlist. The last named, who hails from a yard that know exactly how to get one ready to race here, has winning form over slightly further and has shaped as if he is returning to something like his best. He finished third behind the selection in a competitive claimer last October but will struggle to reverse the form on these terms. Trojan Flight left it late to reward favourite backers last time and is obviously worth his place in the line up. However, he has been held off similar marks to this in the past and looks opposable under a penalty; in spite of his weight-for-age allowance. Therefore, we switch allegiances to Distant Country, who came team up to good affect with Seb Sanders to land the spoils in a very tricky 'getting out stakes'.