led, headed over 1f out, no extra
chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden out
in touch, ridden halfway, kept on under pressure final furlong
towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway under pressure 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, effort and chance over 1f out , no extra final furlong
in touch, effort 2f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression
slowly into stride, in touch, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride always behind
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, effort 2f out, one pace under pressure
A wide-open finale in which several of the 17 runners have claims and what can only be a tentative vote goes to Proud Western, who is preferred to Best Lead and Malahide Express. The last mentioned has slipped to a fair mark but is probably better on the all-weather and more solid claims are probably held by Best Lead. Ian Emmerson has his string in good form at present and the son of Distant Relative is better treated now than for some time. Nigel Tinkler's Mystery Pips has claims if fit enough for his seasonal reappearance but, along with Alan Berry's Robwillcall, is likely to need the run. Joyce's Choice faired best of these that ran behind Mynd at Ripon last month and has to be respected along with Xanadu, although Linda Perratt's gelding may find this five furlongs too fast. The selection though is Proud Western. Trainer Brian Ellison has his string in good form at present and, with improvement anticipated for his recent return, Proud Western gets the vote.