raced keenly, led for 2f, chased leader, weakened quickly 2f out
soon ridden along in touch, ran on final furlong, took 3rd near finish
close up on inner, effort to lead well over 1f out, clear final furlong comfortably
dwelt, soon recovered to lead after 2f, headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
out-paced and always behind
prominent on outside, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
in mid-division and never in challenging position
held up, headway 2f out, ran on same pace final furlong and lost 3rd place near finish
started slowly, ridden and headway 2f out, went 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner
hampered and lost place after 1f, never dangerous after
chased leaders, ridden and weakened quickly well over 1f out
A fairly competitive heat featuring a number of relatively lightly raced and potentially well handicapped three-year-olds in opposition. The tentative vote goes to Coppington Flyer who has proved a model of consistency and appears well suited by the polytrack. The daughter of Eagle Eyed landed a handicap over course and distance last month and has finished in the frame on all three subsequent starts on this surface so should give another good account with this winter's leading rider Ian Mongan on board. Yellow River met a tartar last time and the form has been boosted since but the evidence to date suggests that Brian Meehan's gelding is better suited by the deeper fibresand surface at Southwell and Wolverhampton. Southampton Joe has some useful turf form to his name and, despite top weight, should go well if fit following a near five-month absence. Fulvio and Proud Victor have held their form well of late and are others to consider but Dancing Forest may struggle at this level under a 6lb penalty for winning a weak claimer here last week.
