chased leader, led over 2f out, hard ridden final furlong, headed near finish
chased leaders, challenged on outside from 2f out, not quicken final furlong
towards rear, ridden and some headway on outside 4f out, soon weakened
always behind, hard ridden and struggling from 3f out
pulled hard and soon in mid-division until weakened over 3f out
towards rear and struggling 3f out
towards rear, lost place and tailed off final 2f
chased leaders, hard ridden and no impression 2f out, ran on strongly final 50 yards, just failed
dwelt, soon chased leaders, driven from 2f out, ran on under pressure to lead near finish, just held on, all out
in touch until weakened over 2f out
towards rear, hit rail over 3f out, soon struggling
in mid-division, hard ridden 3f out, soon beaten
led, headed over 2f out, stayed on challenging and rallied under pressure inside final furlong, just held
rear, stayed on final 2f, never near leaders
The topweights Lara Falana and Bandler Ching line up in fine form in this class F event. Jamie Osborne's charge has hit a purple patch at present, but has to defy a seven pound penalty for her gutsy Chepstow win, while Bandler Ching's effort over the course and distance just over a month ago, deserves credit as it was his first outing in nine months, and his first for Pip Payne. A five pound rise probably is not that harsh but a low draw, in three, will be tough to overcome. Mister Clinton was unlucky not to score at Bath the time before last, going down narrowly, and could have done with stronger handling when apprentice ridden at Salisbury four days ago. Fergus Sweeney takes over here, but again, a low berth in stall five has to be overcome. Shotacross The Bow was fancied at Salisbury but came too late to catch Lara Falana. A look at the weights reveals that he is nearly a stone better off with the Osborne runner, making him leading player, especially with a perfect draw in 14. Hugwity is on a long losing run but always threatens to pop in. The in-form Darryll Holland should ensure every assistance from the saddle. So, many in with chances, but TEAMtalk finger falls on Shotacross The Bow to make the most of this opportunity.