chased leaders stand side, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders far side, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
in touch stand side, ridden halfway, soon weakened
towards rear stand side, never dangerous
always behind stand side
towards rear, never dangerous stand side
led stand side group, ridden halfway, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear stand side, ridden halfway, no extra final 2f
towards rear stand side, headway 2f out, led group inside final furlong, held
led far side, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
Tommy Smith was unlucky not to win at Pontefract last time but needs the ground to be like a road and that is unlikely to be the case so, along with last time out winner Brigadore, he is passed over in favour of Izmail. The selection was formerly with Ed Dunlop and showed his first form since joining the stable of David Nicholls when just failing to catch Brigadore at Ayr earlier in the month. Adrian Nicholls' mount is 1lb better off for a neck that day and, having failed to get competitive from a bad draw when behind Tommy Smith at Pontefract last time, is worth another chance to reverse earlier form. Beverley winner Regal Song has claims if the rain continues to fall but really needs soft ground to be at his best so would need the heavens to really open. Sir Sandrovitch seems to be in the grip of the handicapper at present, while Mary Jane would not want much more rain and a bigger danger to the selection may come from Ptarmigan Ridge, from the in-form Linda Perratt stable. He was short of room when behind the selection at Ayr, goes on any ground and appears on the upgrade now. However, Izmail is undoubtedly well handicapped on the pick of his old form and may be worth another chance.