prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, switched right and headway over 1f out, ridden and hung left to go 2nd inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
held up, switched left and headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression
led 1f, soon behind
led after 1f, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
Bishops Court, Whistler and River Falcon all have claims in a tricky sprint handicap, but Haydock specialist Ptarmigan Ridge is taken to land the race for the second year running. Bishops Court is a ten-year-old now, but remains a good servant to the Ramsden yard and is now eight pounds lower than when winning first time out this year at Newbury. Milton Bradley saddles three here, the pick of which might just be Whistler, who didn't do much wrong when fourth in the Portland Handicap last time and handles this ground okay. River Falcon is another who won't mind this ground and is on a fair mark but has looked a little lacklustre in his last couple of races. Ptarmigan Ridge was a head in front of Whistler when third at Doncaster last time and is now a pound worse off, but Linda Perratt's gelding goes particularly well here at Haydock, and indeed won this race off a nine pounds lower mark. At eight years old Ptarmigan Ridge seems to be as good as ever, having won twice this year already, and we think it will take a good one to beat him here.