close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden and effort 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in touch, slipped and lost place 6f out, not recover
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leader until over 2f out
Magic Merlin catches the eye here ahead of Muhaymin, Kamanda Laugh, Mr Jack Daniels and Little Jimbob. The selection was backed as if defeat was out of the question last time and that confidence was rewarded with a very comfortable maiden win at Chepstow. A mark of 78 for his handicap debut now hardly seems excessive and he looks set to run a good race. Muhaymin won his maiden over course and distance and he looked like a drop in trip from the 10 furlongs he raced over last time would suit him, so he can go well over this shorter trip. Kamanda Laugh has been raised just three pounds for winning at Doncaster last time and looks to be handicapped about right but Inchloss has been well beaten since landing a soft-ground six-furlong maiden at Nottingham in April. Mr Jack Daniels showed up well from a two-pound lower mark at Newmarket last time and looks set to bag some money, while Little Jimbob runs here under a penalty after winning a Ripon maiden on June 14 but the others seem to have a bit to find on what we know about them. He is entitled to be improving but, for today, we like the look of Magic Merlin.