tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
always towards rear
slowly into stride, held up well in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
steadied start, held up, never trouble leaders
held up in touch, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
steadied start, pulled hard, held up, headway over 6f out to join leader, ridden and weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, smooth headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
held up, headway over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
In a race in which nothing stands out, Welsh Wind may go well at a fair price, with Mister Clinton and Gold Guest others to consider. There are too many duck-eggs here to form any solid opinions, but Welsh Wind showed signs of a return to form when fourth over the course and distance just over three weeks ago in a similar event to this. Held up at the back and given plenty to do, the gelding made eye-catching late headway behind Compton Drake, and could be about to make the most of a reasonable mark on the all-weather. Successful at York two years ago off 78, he can win his first race since then. Mister Clinton got back to winning ways at Brighton in October, the move up to a mile and a quarter paying dividends. Unfortunately he has failed to repeat the feat, and might need even further on this fast Polytrack. Gold Guest was well backed when failing at Wolverhampton over seven furlongs. Given that his last win came over nine furlongs at Musselburgh, it seems strange that connections have kept him to shorter distances. He will appreciate the trip and they will be keen to get the losses back. He is another to consider then, but we return to Welsh Wind as our idea of the winner.
