led, headed 4 out, ridden next, one pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, led 4 out, pushed along from next, ridden 2 out, stayed on well
held up in touch, ridden and effort approaching 3 out, stayed on flat
held up in rear, headway and chance approaching 3 out, soon ridden, outpaced from next
tracked ldrd, dropped rear after 4th, tailed off from halfway, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden and effort approaching next, no extra last
raced keenly, held up in touch, headway to challenge 3 out, every chance from next, one pace and not fluent last
With the exception of Suave Frankie and Elegant Fan there is, according to the BHB handicapper, just 5lb between the leading contenders in a tight betting heat. Andaleer has yet to finish out of the frame in five starts and has come up against some useful opposition but it has to be a concern that he has not raced for over nine months and his fitness has to be taken on trust. Bold Cardowan would have claims on the pick of his form but would prefer more cut in the ground while Bo Dancer is on a long losing sequence and does not seem the force of old judged on recent evidence having suffered a period of 17 months on the sidelines. Preference is for Copperpot who is the least exposed and therefore open to plenty of improvement. The Nicky Richards-trained five-year-old appears to be progressing with experience and may now be ready to strike under Tony Dobbin.
