always in rear, never troubled leaders
made all, led, set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, in command over 1f out, ridden out, unchallenged
steadied start, in touch 4th on outer, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not troubled leading pair
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong
towards rear, in touch, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
tracked winner, ridden an effort 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong
took keen hold in 5th, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no impression on leaders
Nonrunner
There should be more to come from Mr Aviator and he's likely to need to pick up a penalty this evening if he is to stand a chance of making the cut in the Lincoln. The in-form Scamperdale has to be feared whilst Ballinteni, Rapid City, Regional Counsel and Mataram are all of interest. The selection disappointed on his final start of the season but he had run some excellent races in competitive handicaps prior to that, including a second to Pipedreamer at Glorious Goodwood. Improvement's required to score from his current mark but he's had just two starts on the all-weather and eleven in his career so there's no reason to suppose that there won't be a little more to come this term. Scamperdale is 4lbs worse off with Mataram for a head on their running at Wolverhampton in January but his improvement showed no signs of stopping last time and he has to be on the short-list whilst Willie Jarvis's runner has to be feared given that he's weighted to reverse the form. Ballinteni and Rapid City make more appeal than Regional Counsel but market support for any of that trio would have to be taken seriously. However, there's plenty to recommend Mr Aviator as well and he'll do for us.
Neardown Beauty (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden and outpaced 3f out, never dangerous final 2f, 6th of 9, 10l behind Jack Sullivan (9-3) at W'hampton 7f lst stk (1) pol.
Mr Aviator (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and some progress 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 20l behind Heaven Knows (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct.
Scamperdale 4-1 (9-4) Always prominent, smooth headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven clear, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Bee Stinger (9-3) by 2l, 10 ran.
Ballinteni 33-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 6l behind Heaven Knows (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct.
Rapid City 20-1 (8-7) 12th of 23, 5l behind Pinpoint (9-8) at Newbury 1m hcap (2) gf in Apr.
Regional Counsel 22-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon one pace, 5th of 8, 2l behind Sgt Schultz (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Mataram (USA) 10-3 (8-9) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 6l behind Philatelist (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb.
Speedy Sam 12-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 5l behind Philatelist (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb.