tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f
towards rear, soon outpaced and never on terms
mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression
led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra
in touch, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead over 1f out, drew clear final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway 3f out to chase leaders, weakened final 2f
in touch, ridden 3f out, soon one pace
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Unless any of the newcomers prove to be out of the ordinary this should go to Merchant, who is preferred to Rainbow Iris and Profit's Reality. The selection has easily the best form of those to have raced, having confirmed the promise of his third at Doncaster when chasing home Toby's Dream at Carlisle recently. A reproduction of that form should suffice for the son of Tagula. Rainbow Iris showed promise on her Beverley debut and has to be respected along with the more experienced Profit's Reality. Pat Haslam's Kerry's Blade ran better at Haydock last time than on his debut but may not be appreciative of the cut in the ground. Neither of the newcomers, David Barron's American bred Lord Mayfair nor the Geraldine Rees-trained Owed, make much appeal on the ground first time out and, in a weak opener, Merchant should be too strong for his opponents.