raced wide, held up in rear, hit 7th, headway after 2 out, soon challenging, led before last, soon in command
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, challenged next, led well before last, already headed and looked tired when fell last
raced on inside, led, ridden and headed between last 2, weakened
raced on inside, chased leaders, weakened before 8th, tailed off when pulled up before last
chased leader until approaching 7th, outpaced and hit 2 out, stayed on again before last, went 2nd run-in
always rear, ridden and struggling 8th, tailed off
held up in rear, hit 5th, struggling after 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd before 7th, led briefly between last 2, disputing well held one pace 2nd last, weakened run-in
Venetia Williams has a knack of striking with unexposed individuals and, as such BALLYVEENEY is fancied to make a winning handicap debut; possibly at the main expense of Geography and Midnight Chase. The last named was given a rating of 107 after making a winning debut at Perth last summer. He was not seen out again until May but showed he still retains ability with a solid round at Exeter last month. That run will have tightened him up and, from a 2lb lower mark, he should be capable of improving again. Geography has a consistent profile and acts well with sufficient cut in the ground. However he has been away from the action for 238 days so it would be a great training effort from Paddy Butler to send him out to victory on his seasonal debut. Therefore, it can pay to take a chance that the renowned steady approach from Williams has again unearthed another potential blot on and otherwise uninspiring handicap. The son of Lord Americo is likely to be suited by this step up in trip and in Sam Thomas - assuming his confidence has not be affected by high-profile overreactions to recent incidents - has a jockey who is more than capable of nursing him round to victory when he is seen at his best.
Midnight Chase 66-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden when hit 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 14, 17l behind Bally Conn (10-8) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Ballyveeney (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up well in rear, not much room 5th, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 8th of 16, 15l behind Norman The Great (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Mikado Melody (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden and chased leader after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 33l behind I'm A Legend (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Geography (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Held up in last pair, outpaced approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 16l behind Pacco (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Apr.
Tarateeno 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, well behind Bally Conn (10-8) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
English Jim (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led, headed 2nd, ridden and weakened 10th, 7th of 11, 44l behind Benedict Bay (10-7) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar.
Tanktastic 40-1 (11-5) Mid-division, hit 3rd, behind from 8th, 13th of 16, well behind Deep Pockets (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Migigi 40-1 (10-11) In touch, lost place 4th, tailed off from 3 out, 10th of 15, well behind Colonial Jim (9-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
