held up in touch, chased leader after 3 out, led last, ridden out
close up, weakened 3rd, behind from 5th, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway 8th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
pulled hard, tracked leader, led and hit 2nd, mistake next, headed after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
pulled hard, held up, ridden 3 out, soon beaten
close up, joined leader 4th until 4 out, behind and blundered last
in touch, mistake 1st, ridden 3 out, weakened next
pulled hard, led, mistake and headed 2nd, led again after 3 out, jumped left and headed last, kept on
Not a bad handicap chase and one that can be taken by Imago II, with Runner Bean and Macgyver those who can follow him home. Imago II made his first racecourse appearance for 14 months a winning one when taking a similar contest at Market Rasen earlier in the month. Ian Williams' charge jumps well and was suited by the drop back in trip last time, when he ran as if he would handle the minimum trip is there is pace on. He can set that pace here and score. Runner Bean has to shoulder topweight, but has a liking for this track, having won over course and distance in June. A rise in the weights for that success found him out on his last two starts, but he is gradually dropping again and can run a big race off this mark, though he may again just be held. Measure Of The Man has to improve a fair bit to land the prize, while Macgyver jumps well and likes the ground, but again looks anchored here and and may have to settle for the minors. The selection here then, is Imago II.
