towards rear, headway 6f out, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked winner, driven and lost place 6f out, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
steadied start, held up towards rear, pushed along 5f out, headway under pressure over 3f out, went 2nd approaching final furlong, edge left towards finish, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on one pace under pressure when not much room towards finish
mid-division, took closer order halfway, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
chased leaders, lost place 6f out, soon behind
in rear, headway into mid-division 6f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
in touch, outpaced 6f out, driven and headway to chase winner 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace under pressure
Riyadh, Green 'n' Gold, Academy, Red Sun and Almnadia all look to have claims in this open affair and the vote is given to Riyadh. The gelding from the Mark Johnston yard is on a handy mark at present and showed improved form to finish third behind Lucky Judge at Thirsk last time. He is from a yard in form and he looks the one they all have to beat. Green 'n' Gold was unsuited by the heavy going at Pontefract last time so could be better in these conditions, while Academy has been in fair form of late but has not won since October 2002. Red Sun is returning to the flat after a spell over hurdles, a comment that also applies to Almnadia and both of them look to have decent place prospects. This is a competitive race and a number of these would have chances on the pick of their form, but Riyadh has plenty going for him here and is given the nomination.