held up in mid division, ridden 3f out, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression
missed break, towards rear, never dangerous
mid division, brief effort on inside over 2f out, soon beaten
mid division, ridden 3f out, one paced final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led entering final furlong, headed and no extra close home
raced keen, tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed entering final furlong, rallied to lead close home
towards rear, headway under pressure 2f out, one paced final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
saddle slipped, raced wide and behind from halfway
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon headway final furlong, never dangerous
It doesn't get any worse than this and ex-Mark Johnston inmate North Landing is selected ahead of Royal Windmill and Kismet Queen. Kevin Darley has been booked to ride North Landing and the former Johnston inmate does at least have the second highest BHB rating of those on offer today. Second in a Ripon seller for Johnston; he showed nothing for new connections in a better contest at Nottingham. The fact that he has been selected is merely a measure of how poor this race is rather than any implication of confidence. Royal Windmill would have plenty to find on official figures but is at least consistent. He met trouble in running during a similar event at Thirsk last time out and would arguably have finished second without that interference. This to all intents and purposes is this grade and he should be capable of running into a place. Kismet Queen ran a stinker at Southwell on her last start but there was plenty of market confidence behind her when she finished unplaced in a recent claimer at Hamilton Park. She is back to what is arguably her best trip this afternoon and does at least have a decent BHB rating and more critically, a light racing weight. Mujkari and Flight To Tuscany are making very long trips up from Gloucestershire to take part in today's race. They along with Achilles Run and Indian Music are watched in the market for any signs of confidence. In a modest contest, we believe that North Landing is selected at minimal stakes although Royal Windmill makes some appeal at slightly larger odds.
