raced stand side, held up, smooth headway from 2f out, led 1f out, ran on, comfortable
raced stand side, held up in rear, headway and not clear run well over 1f out, never troubled leaders
raced stand side, held up in rear, kept on final furlong, never nearer
raced stand side and mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong and not trouble leaders
raced stand side, held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
raced stand side, keen, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced stand side, in touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
raced stand side, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
raced stand side, slow into stride, squeezed out start, headway after 2f, in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced alone far side, prominent over 5f
raced stand side, in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
raced stand side, led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra
raced stand side, with leader, ridden and led over 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
The handicapper looks to have initially underestimated Merchant, who can complete a hat-trick here before a hike up the weights, while Hidden Chance and Good Wee Girl are others in with chances. The selection is due to go up 21lb any time now after wins at Hamilton and Yarmouth, the latter a very easy seven length success with cut in the ground, and a 6lb penalty for that should not stop him with conditions again to suit, so he is a confident choice. Hidden Chance improved on his Kempton debut with a better effort at Folkestone last time and this step up in trip is definitely in his favour. The ground is the unknown factor with him, but we anticipate more to come here and he can chase home the selection. Good Wee Girl was also a winner last time, for which she carries a penalty here. Proven on soft ground, she will keep going when others have cried enough though she may just have too much weight to follow up that Chester success. Our idea of the winner then, is Merchant.