tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on
held up towards rear, headway and hampered over 2f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong to take 3rd post
held up towards rear, not clear run and hampered over 1f out on inside rail, not recover
started slowly, held up towards rear, not clear run 2f out but never dangerous
behind, headway and not clear run over 1f out, eased final furlong
held up in touch, effort 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1, soon behind
held up mid-division, headway to lead over 1f out, stayed on well, held on
in touch, under pressure over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway and effort 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, behind, headway and not clear run 2f out, edged left, strong run inside final furlong, gaining close home
behind, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on and every chance final furlong, no extra final 100 yards
prominent, not clear run 2f out, slightly hampered, eased afterwards
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out
In the finale, our vote goes to Spring Jim ahead of Jools, Resonate and Firewire. Much as he has been raised five pounds for winning at Nottingham, the lightly raced Spring Jim looked progressive there and is the type to keep on improving. As such, he looks the one to beat. Turning to the others. Jools is now back to a winning mark and looks set to go well, and Resonate finished well at Chepstow last time and now looks ready for this type of trip, although he has yet to win beyond seven. Stateroom has been knocking at the door from around this mark. Freeloader is five-pounds above a winning mark but cannot be ruled out entirely, while Terraquin is now rated six pounds lower than for his most-recent victory. Firewire runs here under a penalty and, if you take Captain Marryat form literally, has a chance against the selection. He might even give him the most to do but, for today, we will side with Spring Jim.