mid-division, ridden and hung left 3f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on onepaced
always behind
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, not reach winner
made all, ridden over 2f out, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, chased winner 3f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
A tricky handicap but course and distance winner Captain Venti - who handles soft - is now back on a winning mark and gets the selection. There are a number of dangers, though. Internationalguest will love the underfoot conditions and, despite being six pounds higher than for his last win, can go well. Marlo is another that will love the going and has to be considered even though he is 10lbs higher than for his last win. Explode has been disappointing since winning twice last July but at least his rating is now falling. Tedstale is rated 5lbs higher than for his Newcastle win and is held on Nottingham form last October with the selection. Miss Opulence will go on the ground and her rider's claim more than offsets the five-pound higher mark she is on than for her last win. Cherished Number carries a six-pound penalty for his Hamilton win which will not make life easy. Yakimov could go well now that his stable seems to be over the virus it was suffering from. Soller Bay has won from his current mark and will go on the ground so will have his supporters, while course winner Dayglow Dancer is also back on a winning rating and can't be ruled out. Chapel Royale cannot be dismissed if turning back the clock to last summer, and Peartree House comes here in good heart but all his winning form has come on a sounder surface.
