in touch, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace
led, ridden over halfway, headed over 1f out, no extra
soon outpaced, always behind
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 3f, kept on one pace
always behind, lost touch from halfway
slowly into stride, soon outpaced, ridden over 3f out, no extra inside final furlong
There is a large turnout for the seller but most can safely be ruled out, and if we narrow it down to a short-list of Mystical Charm, Italian Affair, Bannister and Sharp Hat, we should come up with the winner, with Sharp Hat taken to successfully give weight away. David Chapman's veteran has a plum draw in stall one and would have eaten this lot for breakfast a few seasons ago. As a two-year-old he was actually ridden to victory by Frankie Dettori at Doncaster and although a lot of water has gone under the bridge since then, he has managed to visit the winner's enclosure on a few more occasions, despite having had a number of excuses made for various defeats in the past. He is still no back number judged on his recent pillar-to-post success at Southwell and there was no way he could have won at Nottingham three days ago as he stumbled soon after the start. This looks a suitable opportunity to make amends, although Dandy Nichols could prove a threat with his trio, the best of whom could be Bannister whose duck-eggs disguise the fact that he had plenty of ability in the past as his win under Johnny Murtagh at York three years ago proves. He can make the frame.