held up in touch, hit 6th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, weakened last, eased down flat
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, ridden and lost place 2 out, kept on under pressure flat
mid-division, ridden and lost place 3 out, soon behind
race keenly, held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, 3rd and no impression when hit last
raced keenly, mid-division, lost place 3 out
chased leaders, ridden and effort 3 out, weakened after next
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure last, never nearer
always towards rear
led, headed 5th, chased winner, ridden 2 out, kept on no impression
held up, always behind
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 2 out
tracked leader, led 5th, hit next, ridden and drew clear between last 2, driven out flat
A terrific renewal of this valuable handicap with several of the 12 runners holding claims including Martin Pipe's pair Fontanesi and Whispered Secret but the vote goes to Dancing Bay, who is taken to gain a well deserved big race purse. The selection comes here fit from a creditable second in the Queen Alexandra and, off just a 1lb higher mark than when second to Macs Joy in the Swinton Hurdle, has an obvious chance. The four-year-old Fontanesi is less exposed than some of his rivals and may be open to further improvement. He makes more appeal than Jack Dawson, who would prefer slightly faster conditions underfoot. Art Point has a long absence to overcome, while Bernardon needs to bounce back from a disappointing effort last time. Torrid Kentavr has been running well of late and is another worthy of a mention, along with Martin Pipe's Whispered Secret, although the last mentioned makes less appeal than stablemate Fontanesi. Dancing Bay holds solid claims though and gets the vote for trainer Nicky Henderson.
