held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on one pace
close up, ridden and weakened 3f out
always towards rear
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and headway 3f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on close home
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
in touch, led 7f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led, headed 7f out, remained close up til weakened over 1f out
steady start, always towards rear
tracked leaders, shaken up to lead 1f out, quickened clear, comfortable
The consistent Duc's Dream and recent Chepstow winner Willoughby's Boy both have claims in this 10-furlong handicap but the vote goes to Tarawan, who is taken to take advantage of a lenient all-weather mark. Andrew Balding's gelding has shown progressive form this term with wins at Doncaster and Leicester in the spring following on from a successful campaign on the sand during the winter. His latest victory came off a mark of 65 but the seven-year-old can race off a 1lb lower mark today and, although beaten here two starts ago that came in an apprentice's race when given a lot to do by his inexperienced jockey. The useful Neil Chalmers takes over here and looks the one to be on. Willoughby's Boy often flatters to deceive but was good value for his success last time. However, given his inconsistency, Ben Hanbury's gelding is probably best watched. Duc's Dream is entitled to be thereabouts on form at Southwell last time out but has yet to show his best form here and of more interest is Petrus, who represents the in-form stable of Clive Brittain. Bank On Him and Absolute Utopia remain a shade high in the weights at present so we are happy to stick with Tarawan.
