led far side, ridden 3f out, headed inside last, no extra
prominent standside, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear standside, ridden half way, kept on well to lead inside last
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, raced centre from 2f out, weakened inside last
prominent standside, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch standside, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside last
towards rear, ridden half way, soon raced middle, no danger after
Friar Tuck is taken to land the finale for popular Scottish handler Linda Perratt, with Legal Set and Speedfit Free nominated as the dangers. Although showing little in the way of form since winning at Redcar last September, the selection is now three pounds lower in the ratings than for that success and can get back to winning ways. Legal Set is an eight-time winner, but mainly on Lingfield's all-weather. However, a repeat of his Doncaster second, when beaten a short head by Atlantic Viking, in May of last year, gives him a real chance in what is not an overly-competitive affair. Pips Magic carries a penalty here for his course and distance win of eight days ago and, while clearly in good heart, that was his first win in a while. It's a long time now since Fairgame Man won, even though his stable is in good form, so a bigger danger to the selection looks to be Speedfit Free who, although six pounds higher than for a course and distance win in August 2002, ran well over course and distance last time - a repeat of which gives him chances here. On recent form, it is hard to make a case for any of the others, so we'll stick with Friar Tuck to land the finale.