reared start, held up, always towards rear (lost action)
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
close up, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, not quicken close home
held up, ridden 3f out, no headway final 2f
slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on, not reach leaders
slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace
close up, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, slightly outpaced approaching final furlong, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
tracked leaders, with leader over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out
held up, ridden 3f out, no impression, eased approaching final furlong
in touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
Another tough handicap to try and unravel, with plenty of the 18-runner field having claims. Among those worthy of a mention is the hat-trick seeking Eagles High, who has gone up a further 4lbs for his most recent success at Chepstow. However, with further rain forecast, he may not have conditions to suit. James Fanshawe's Cashmere, on the other hand, is bred to appreciate cut in the ground and could improve for it, while Princess Almora may be flattered by her proximity to another Fanshawe inmate, Curfew, last time. Topweight Choto Mate appears in the handicapper's grip at present and is best left alone. Zhitomir is in the form of his life at present and stayed on well to win at Epsom last week. A 3lb penalty may not be enough to stop him following up and Simon Dow's horse gets the TEAMtalk vote.