in touch behind, headway halfway, led 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, caught post
disputed lead, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace final furong
held up behind, headway and in touch 3f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly 2f out
held up in touch, headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led post
disputed lead to over 3f out, hanging right, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
chased leaders to halfway, hard ridden and weakened quickly 2f out
It is difficult to oppose the bang-in-form The Crooked Ring here and we will shy away from doing so, with perhaps Treat Me Wild and Edge Fund two for the frame. The selection has benefited from the return to this trip after finishing fourth of eight to the useful Beckermet at Chester last month, winning his next two at Ayr and then most recently over course and distance, both on fast ground. He is due to go up 10lb for that, but as he is in such great heart he cannot be seriously opposed until he shows that the run of form is wilting. Treat Me Wild is one who could make the minors. A debut winner over the minimum trip at Bath, Richard Hannon's juvenile has come up short over seven furlongs twice since, and as she is related to the useful 6f juvenile Special Treat it is likely that this trip will see her perform better. Edge Fund is better judged on some useful form over this trip earlier in the campaign at Lingfield, Chepstow and Leicester, rather than when down the field last time in the Newbury Super Sprint, and back in this company he too will make his presence felt. For the winner though, The Crooked Ring can complete the hat-trick.
