mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear on inside, ridden over 3f out, not clear run from well over 1f out until entering final furlong, stayed on, not trouble leaders
in touch, lost place over 3f out, not clear run over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
prominent, ridden over 4f out, 2nd briefly 3f out, weakened final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leader, led 7f out, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
led, headed 7f out, weakened well over 1f out
started slowly, held up in rear, headway on outside over 3f out, hung left from over 2f out, weakened final furlong
took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, led 1f out, ridden out
took keen hold, tracked leaders, weakened 2f out
pulled hard, held up in rear, headway over 4f out, hampered 2f out, lost ground on leaders, switched right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up towards rear, not much room over 6f out, no chance over final 3f
Not a strong handicap to commence proceedings and we will take a chance on Prince Of Love, while Cheshire Prince and Herakles are also in with a shout. The Jedd O'Keefe-trained selection has previously won off higher marks as a juvenile and will benefit from the forecast rains should they arrive before the day. He does, however, act on good and has put up three decent runs on the fibresand over this trip without winning. After spending around 19 months off the racecourse, he was last of seven at Ripon on his return, but that will have served as a nice pipe opener. The yard's runners are going well and we'll take a chance on him. Cheshire Prince won back-to-back 10f handicaps on fast ground last summer and wouldn't want any rain here. A couple of recent defeats have seen him dropped to a mark of 68 and he looks capable of being very competitive here though he does have to prove he stays. Herakles is another one who spent a fair while off the track before being brought back over hurdles earlier in the year without success. He seems to act on any ground, he is at home over this trip on the level, and at his best he'd have a good shout, but he has his wellbeing to prove. Polytrack winner Robert The Brave has the ability to go well here despite top weight but does not convince on turf, while last time winner Grethel will find this tougher in handicap company. Prince Of Love is a tentative suggestion here.
Robert The Brave 50-1 (9-7) In rear, ridden and struggling 4f out, 10th of 14, 14l behind Dear Maurice (9-10) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Longspur 14-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, pushed along in rear, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 36l behind Cotton Eyed Joe (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Vanquisher (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 10l behind Bull Market (8-11) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Herakles (GER) (9-4) won at Cologne 1m 4f hcp sft in Oct '04 beating Stargate (9-9) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Cheshire Prince 4-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, soon tracking winner, ridden over 2f out, lost 2nd just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 8l behind Muhannak (9-9) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Montrose Man 25-1 (9-0) Towards rear, some late headway, never nearer, 6th of 10, 5l behind Shabahar (9-2) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Pitbull 8-1 (8-8) Slowly away, in rear, ridden 3f out, headway approaching final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 9, 3l behind Quince (9-7) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Moment of Clarity 25-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, effort and one pace final furlong, 7th of 15, 5l behind Riley Boys (9-4) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Prince of Love (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Held up, effort over 3f out, soon behind, last of 7, 41l behind Hits Only Vic (9-1) at Ripon 1m 4f hcap (5) hvy.
Grethel (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Towards rear, chased leaders over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Hamilton 1m 1f fll hcp (5) gf beating Papa's Princess (8-13) by a hd, 8 ran.
Bobering 33-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 15l behind Hucking Heat (9-0) at Haydock 1m 3f ldy rds hcp (5) gd in May.
