towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong
held up in rear, ridden halfway, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway under pressure approaching final furlong, kept on towards finish
tracked leader, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
Sharoura won with a bit in hand at Thirsk and with ground conditions to suit, can defy a penalty against Bannister and Johnston's Diamond. Richard Fahey's seven-year-old has been in a rich vein of form, making the most of a lenient handicap mark, having tumbled down the weights. That Thirsk victory was his second in three outings, and with his apprentice rider taking off seven pounds to nullify the penalty, he looks all set to follow up. Johnston's Diamond in contrast is beginning to feel the grip of the handicapper but has been a consistent sort of late, while Bannister has been threatening to get back to winning ways for some time. Indeed we have tipped him up on more than one occasion and will be gutted if he scores here unbacked. Tre Colline was a beaten favourite last time and has it to do off topweight, while the rest are a bit in and out. So, Sharoura is the safest option.