held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, ran on well flat
led, headed after 4 out, ridden and weakened next
tracked leader, mistake 9th, led after 4 out, ridden and blundered 2 out, soon headed, kept on, no impression
held up in touch, headway approaching 8th, joined leader next, pushed along and outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from last
Mr Laggan, Durham Dandy, The Hearty Joker and Step Quick are all worthy of consideration, with the vote going to the latter. Step Quick ran well when third behind Gigs Gambit at Fontwell last time but made a blunder at a crucial stage in the race. The gelding is taken to learn from that mistake and he could be the one to beat. The Hearty Joker went off too quick at Hereford last time and finished well beaten behind Sam Adamson. This trip will again prove a real test of his stamina so he is opposed here. Mr Laggan was upped in class and was well beaten at Hexham last time, but he had previously won well there. However his overall win ratio of one from 25 races does not inspire confidence. Durham Dandy was well beaten behind Golly at Market Rasen last time and will have to improve to feature at the finish, so we are happy to take a chance on Step Quick.
