in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden and headway when hampered entering final furlong, not recover
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on nearest finish
held up, ridden 2f out, headway and switched left entering final furlong, stayed on never nearer
steadied start, held up, ridden over 1f out, kept on, never dangerous
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace when bumped entering final furlong
prominent, led halfway, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken
prominent, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left entering final furlong, one pace
led to halfway, soon ridden and weakened
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakening when not much room 1f out
dwelt, ridden and hung left over 1f out, always behind
mid-division, ridden when bumped over 1f out, soon weakened
The draw has been very kind to the in-form Sir Don and the David Nicholls-trained four-year-old is taken to narrowly edge out the likes of Bollin Edward, Viewforth and Midnight Parkes. The well-treated Baby Barry is also capable of taking a hand if there is any easing in the ground. However, as that now looks to be an unlikely scenario, Sir Don looks to be the safest option. The gelding is still quite well handicapped despite being 6lb higher than he was when winning a similar contest at York last month and looks primed for another bold bid with Robert Winston in the saddle. The son of Lake Coniston appreciates being ridden positively and may just be too hard to pass if he can grab the stands rail at an early stage.