raced wide throughout, ridden and headway over 3f out, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong, unable to quicken close home (wore cheek pieces)
in touch, under pressure 3f out, soon behind
took keen hold, held up and behind, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never nearer
always prominent, led well over 1f out, ran on well
held up in rear, headway 3f out, ridden well inside final furlong, stayed on
held up and behind, stayed on under pressure 2f out, never able to challenge
led to well over 1f out, soon ridden and weakened
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, not quicken final furlong (wore cheek pieces)
prtom until ridden and weakened over 2f out
in rear, switched right well over 1f out, kept on
mid-division, lost place 4f out, soon behind
behind, ridden and headway on outside 2f out, kept on
Distant Cousin appeared to show much improved form last week when cruising to a highly impressive 12-length handicap victory at Southwell and has to be the TEAMtalk pick to follow up. The five-year-old barely came off the bridle and, although this is a step up in grade, the Distant Relative gelding can overcome a 6lb penalty. Dick The Taxi scored back-to-back victories on the all-weather in the summer but disappointed on his latest start and faces no easy task under top weight. Bold Ewar had nothing to spare when winning here last time and looks vulnerable, particularly over this shorter trip, so the consistent Open Arms may be the one to give the selection most to fear.