tracked leaders, dropped rear 11th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
chased winner, lost 2nd 4 out, 3rd and held when pecked 2 out
in rear, not fluent 3rd, mistake 6th, jumped slowly and outpaced 14th, stayed on under pressure to chase winner last, kept on flat, always just held
made all, clear 2 out, jumped left last, tired flat, hard driven and held on, all out
prominent, chased winner 4 out, one pace and lost 2nd last, no extra flat
An interesting race in which we favour Helvetius over Compton Chick, although they all hold chances of sorts. Looking at the runners. Flinders is a course and distance winner, his only career win, but it came from a six-pound lower mark and he has not raced for 162 days. Tudor King was beaten at odds on last time but comes here well handicapped based on his wins in April and July at Plumpton and Southwell. He is not the most consistent, though, but certainly holds solid claims if putting his best foot forward. Boring Goring has yet to win over the larger obstacles but has put up some solid efforts in defeat from around today's mark. He can go well fresh but has that 218-day absence to overcome to succeed. Compton Chick won at Worcester in August from a mark of 86, and now races off 92. However, she holds claims and will be fit from the Flat. Helvetius won a novice event at Newton Abbot in July 2002 and, with the handicapper starting to relent, can also go well despite conceding weight to the field and not having raced for 162 days. An intriguing race in its way, and it might just go to Helvetius, who is certainly up to winning from his current mark.
