reminders after start and soon close up, ridden and reluctant 6f out, weakened rapidly, virtually pulled up final 3f
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 3f out to over 1f out, weakened quickly
held up in last pair, stayed on through weakening rivals final 2f, no chance
made all, pushed clear over 2f out, stayed on well, unchallenged
held up in touch, ridden along halfway, stayed on under pressure final 2f to take 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner
in touch until weakened quickly over 4f out, soon lost touch and virtually pulled up final 2f
in touch, driven 8f out, weakened rapidly and lost touch over 4f out, tailed off
chased winner, pushed along 5f out, lost 2nd over 3f out, weakened quickly, tailed off
soon pushed along in rear, ridden and headway over 4f out, stayed on to dispute 2nd over 1f out, no impression and one pace
Mister Putt gets the call here over Linens Flame, with Henry Island being fully exposed and Paula Lane not having shown enough to warrant support. Stamina is the key here and although Mister Putt has not been seen on the Flat for nearly a year, the gelding will not lack for fitness, thanks to a hurdling campaign with Dina Smith this winter. He showed improved form when fourth to Tidour at Plumpton in February thanks to the re-fitting of a tongue strap, and will think that he has been let loose with 9st 4lb. If Chris Catlin lets him bowl along in front, we can see him making all to gain his first win on the Flat. Linens Flame caused a shock when scoring at 33/1 at Kempton recently, a big improvement on anything shown previously. Brendan Powell put that down to the longer trip and the fact that he had strengthened up, so another good run is in the offing. Henry Island has been describes as a quirky character but that has not stopped him winning in the past and his fans will point out that he was a little unlucky in running at Southwell last time. He might just need this to shake off the cobwebs though. Ffiffifer, who had a spell in Spain, returned to these shores with a victory at Wolverhampton but was well adrift at Southwell next time and the step up in trip is a worry. Paula Lane has it to do against mainly older opponents, and Mister Putt should run a big race.
