led 7f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, improved over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
very slowly away, behind, never nearer
soon towards rear, ridden over 3f out, not trouble leaders
led after 1f, headed 7f out, remained in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, pulled hard, held up well in rear, headway on outside from 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
ridden to lead first furlong, chased leader after, ridden and weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, nearest finish
held up, headway from 3f out, led over 1f out, ran on
mid-division, pushed along 4f out, some headway over 1f out, weakened final furlong
This is a very competitive handicap and maybe Woody Valentine can get back to winning ways but you should also consider the chances of the likes of Silver City, Katiypour, Ryan's Future, Arry Dash, Kirkham Abbey and Prairie Wolf. The selection won over course and distance four runs ago, when getting the better of Silver City by a neck. The latter might have needed that run and is now six pounds better off but some schools of thought say that he'll be better with another two furlongs to travel. So having run pretty well in a valuable Goodwood handicap two runs ago and possibly finding the mile trip too short for him last time, Woody Valentine could now be set to make them all go. Katiypour is also a course and distance winner and comes here in good heart, Prairie Wolf has a very good chance on his 2002 form and has shown enough of late, including when winning at Beverley, to hold claims, and Arry Dash, who is due to go up two pounds shortly, has been running pretty well of late and won from a seven-pound higher mark, albeit it over a mile, in April of last year. With Kirkham Abbey hailing from a stable in form and coming here with his confidence high following a win, he too has to be considered in what, as we say, is a competitive race but, for the winner, we will stick with Woody Valentine.