went right start, tracked leader, led over 3f out until ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
prominent, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace
went left start, chased leading trio, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
squeezed out start, always in rear
led, headed over 3f out, ridden to lead again over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
raced awkwardly throughout, ridden along in rear, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, clear when idled inside final furlong
First Bid looks the only one guaranteed to handle conditions and should go well but he does find winning difficult and is passed over in favour of ARTE DEL CALCIO. The Elsworth charge is dropped into this lowly grade for the first time after displaying a fair measure of ability in maiden and handicap company in his last three runs. The concern is that he is also dropped significantly in trip but his overall form profile makes him the one to be with. Point At Issue is another threat as he has already scored on Fibresand which augurs well for his prospects of handing the forecast conditions. He showed himself to be in really good heart when scoring in commanding fashion on the good to firm at Redcar recently in claiming company and his shrewd yard do well in this type of contest.
First Bid 13-8fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Flying Pickets (9-5) at Southwell 7f 3yo clm stks (6) fbs in Mar.
Point At Issue (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Redcar 6f All clm stks (6) gf beating Come On Dave (8-12) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Thorpe Bay 13-8fav (9-5) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 11l behind Superplex (8-13) at Lingfield 6f 3yo sell stks (6) pol in Mar.
Arte Del Calcio 7-2 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, slightly hampered approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Sheila's Buddy (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Pressure Drop (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Towbee (9-3) at Redcar 5f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Ficelle (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden halfway, no impression, last of 5, 11l behind Point At Issue (8-11) at Southwell 7f 2yo clm stks (6) fbs in Nov.