made all, ridden clear soon after 6th, eased flat
held up, hampered 6th, never dangerous
tracked leader, ridden and lost place 5th, soon behind
always in rear
mid-division, headway 5th, 4th when brought down next
towards rear, headway 5th, 3rd when fell next
close up, ridden and weakened after 6th
in touch, chased winner 5th until over 1 out, weakened
held up, headway 6th, ridden and went 2nd over 1 out, no chance with winner
held up, weakened 6th, pulled up over 2 out
Mersey Mirage disappointed after a break last time out but can return to form here ahead of Protocol and Dance Of Life. The selection ran a solid effort in a better race than this at Musselburgh in January before falling at Kelso. Given a break he returned last week and that race should have him spot on for today's contest. Protocol is a most consistent sort but has struggled to win a race for a long while. The step down in trip is not sure to suit but should still give the selection most to worry about. Dance Of Life is not the most reliable of characters but can turn in some reasonable performances when he wants to. A reproduction of his runs at Market Rasen and Sedgefield last year would see him going very close but he is not one to rely upon. Of the rest Countrywide Star and Charlatan can be given chances on the best of their form but neither are the most consistent. A chance, then, is taken on the unexposed Mersey Mirage to beat the consistent but one-paced Protocol.
