raced keenly, made all and set good pace, driven approaching 2 out, clear and in no danger when mistake last, pushed out flat
tracked winner, ridden to dispute 2nd but held when blundered and fell heavily last
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, weakened 3 out
prominent, hit 2nd, ridden to dispute 2nd 2 out, one pace and no impression before last
held up in rear, steady headway 3 out, weakened when mistake 2 out, 5th and no chance when slightly hampered after last
in touch, ridden approaching 5th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when mistakes next and last
in touch, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next (lame)
held up in rear, mistakes 3rd, headway under pressure after 3 out, one pace and no impression when left 3rd last
chased leaders until weakened before 2 out
A competitive contest to get proceedings underway at the Sunbury track, and although the likes of Contraband and Dempsey have sound claims, a chance is taken with the enigmatic Pawn Broker, who will appreciate this better ground having got bogged down in the mud at Ascot last time. A classy performer on the flat (Listed class), he has found life tough in his two outings to date over timber, both on unsuitable soft ground. This sharp flat track should prove right up his street and with the ground currently described as good, he has his optimum conditions. There are no shortage of dangers including the useful flat handicapper Contraband, who is comes into this on the back of a couple of wins in minor company. Martin Pipe's gelding, often a hard puller on the flat, is starting to learn how to settle and if there is plenty of pace on here, looks sure to give a good account. However, he was rated 15lbs behind the selection on the flat and it is hard to see him giving him 8lbs here. Dempsey looks a horse with a future having bullied inferior opposition in his two outings over timber and looks ready for this step up in class. A strong travelling type, it will be interesting to see if he is capable of finding something off the bridle. Lord Lington, the winner of three races on the flat in France, made hard work of getting his head in front in an ordinary contest at Folkestone and needs to improve on that effort if he is to take a hand here. However, we are sure his handler wouldn't send him here if he didn't think he could hold his own. Travelling Band and bumper winner Flame Phoenix looks to have plenty on at this level, but Lustral Du Seuil is interesting as he has form with Lord Lington in France. He was beaten four-lengths by his rival there, receiving 7lbs and as he from a stable that houses plenty of talent in the novice ranks, he is certainly one to keep an eye on. Salinas showed little on his hurdling debut at Warwick and looks to have plenty to prove in this company, so, in receipt of weight off the majority of his rivals, Pawn Broker gets the vote to finally get off the mark over timber.
