prominent on outer until weakened 3f out
held up towards rear, ridden along over 3f out, kept on, never dangerous
behind and soon ridden along, never near leaders
led 3f, soon ridden along, gradually weakened from 2f out
prominent, led 4f out, pressed 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace afterwards
held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner final furlong, always held
chased leaders until weakened 2f out
went right start, in rear, stayed on under pressure, never dangerous
with leaders to halfway, weakened quickly 3f out
squeezed out start, in rear, ridden 3f out, never troubled leaders
held up, headway to chase leaders 2f out, no extra under pressure over 1f out, soon one pace
bumped start, always in rear afterwards
mid-division, ridden along over 3f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leaders, effort 2f out, soon ridden, not quicken, weakened final furlong
prominent, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, in command final furlong, ridden out
Not many stand out as being particularly well handicapped and only a tentative nomination is given to Tally, who is a tough performer and is fancied to get the better of Sergeant Lewis and the unexposed Sunny Times. The last named comes into the race on the back of a couple of solid performances and shapes as if it is a formality for him to get off the mark in handicaps. Liam Jones takes 7lb off his back and he is one to carefully monitor in the market. Sergeant Lewis won well on his penultimate start and has claims if putting in a similar effort today. However, his supporters need to forgive his poor run at Kempton when he was last seen out and he may be vulnerable today. Rathmullan is another that can feasibly go well, as he has held his own in Banded races of late. Admittedly he now has a little more to find, but he can represent good value for anyone wiling to support his each-way claims. However, Tally is preferred on this occasion. Already a dual course winner on the All Weather here, Tally will at least be at home in the familiar surroundings and, as he has won off a 6lb higher mark on turf, the son of Tagula has a live chance of adding to his haul on these terms.
Fiveoclock Express (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression, 8th of 12, 13l behind Littleton Zephir (9-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp (5) pol.
Spinetail Rufous (IRE) 18-1 (8-11) Chased leaders stands' side, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Banjo Bay (9-2) at Nottingham 6f app hcp (6) gd.
Tally (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, soon driven along, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 16, 6l behind Polar Force (8-10) at Yarmouth 6f hcp (6) gs.
Cayman Colony (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden along over 3f out, soon weakened and behind, 12th of 13, 20l behind High Bray (8-12) at Brighton 1m hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Sir Northerndancer (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Dwelt, soon mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened well over 1f out, last of 9, 21l behind Ali Bruce (9-11) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs in Apr.
Sergeant Lewis 16-1 (8-5) Held up, ridden on outer halfway, no impression final 2f, 11th of 14, 16l behind Royal Orissa (8-13) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Island Swing (IRE) 40-1 (7-10) Dwelt, always behind, last of 11, 15l behind Fruit of Glory (9-8) at Ripon 6f hcp (3) gf.
Sunny Times (IRE) 3-1fav (8-5) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 4l behind Hidden Chance (8-10) at Salisbury 7f 3yo clm (5) gf.