held up towards rear, headway 6th, chased leaders 2 out, kept on, never nearer
mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway 6th, stayed on to lead approaching last, ridden out
chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last
held up in rear, some headway after 6th, no chance when mistake last
behind from 6th, tailed off
mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway 2 out, kept on approaching last, not reached leaders
led until headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden and lost place 2 out, weakened last
raced keen in mid-division, headway 6th, joined leaders 2 out, ridden and kept on on pace flat
mid-division, ridden 2 out, never nearer
chased leader to 6th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 5th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra flat
behind and mistakes, never a factor
always behind
in touch, driven along 4th, lost place 6th, soon well behind
A tough contest to call for punters with many of the runners closely matched on their best form, but the principles look to be Uptown Lad, Dancing Bay and Calatigan, and the tentative vote goes to the in-form Uptown Lad. The 4-year-old from the Bob Johnson yard has found his form with a vengeance of late winning his last two races in good style, although his latest victory over Bergamo was only a short head. He is taken to defy another hike in the weights off what still looks a handy mark. Dancing Bay is a rare runner on this track from the Nicky Henderson yard and although the colt was disappointing in a class B handicap at the end of last season, it would be no surprise to see him return to the winnner's enclosure in this easier grade. Calatigan is one of the least exposed in the field but although he is weighted to defeat the selection, he is a free-going sort and he will have to settle better if he is to turn the tables. Rising Generation and Bushido are others that look to be on fair marks in this wide open affair but we will stick with the progressive Uptown Lad.
