behind, smooth headway 4f out, ridden and led 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
behind, in touch 4f out, ridden 3f out, soon one paced
towards rear, in touch 4f out, ridden over 2f out, led entering final furlong, kept on well
mid-division, ridden and led over 3f out, headed 2f out, gradually weakened
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, hampered when weakening over 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened
always behind
Diamond Max, officially rated the best of these, showed signs of a return to form last time and can gain his sixth career win. His last win came in Listed company in October 101 but his last run, over six furlongs, suggested he might still have enough ability to land another race. The caveat has to be that he has only ever won on going with ease in it. The selection, Gold Guest, Sawwaah and Nimello are officially rated well ahead of their rivals and ought to have the race between them. The 2001 Lincoln winner, Nimello, has become disappointing although he returned lame after his latest run. Gold Guest won his first race in a similar event at Musselburgh last time (his first try beyond a mile) and has claims, but the main danger to the selection could well be the lightly-raced Sawwaah. From the in-form David Nicholls stable, the dual winner has every right to be competitive at this level and the trip and going should suit, although he did hang to his left under pressure on his most recent run at Newcastle.