prominent, ridden along over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
led until headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
started slowly, behind, some moderate late headway final furlong, never nearer
in touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not a danger
close up, led over 1f out, soon clear, pushed out readily
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, held
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, hard ridden and weakened inside final furlong
started slowly, in rear, some headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, not a danger
held up, wide, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
started slowly, towards rear, headway over 2f out to chase leaders, soon ridden, weakened quickly over 1f out
Despite his penalties Absolute Utopia has enough in hand on official BHB ratings and is taken to get the better of White Emir, Nod's Nephew and Butrinto. The selection won with more in hand than the winning margin suggests over course and distance last time and holds White Emir and Butrinto on running that day. Recent Chepstow handicap third Nod's Nephew has yet to prove that he stays this far or handles the surface and of more interest may be Fife And Drum, who is better treated than most but has been out of form. All in all, this is a poor contest that looks to be well within the compass of Absolute Utopia on last time out running.