mid-division, headway over 4f out, led well over 1f out, ridden out
always towards rear, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, one pace when not clear run over 1f out, never reached leaders
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, not clear run, switched right over 3f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach winner
chased leader halfway, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leader to halfway, soon behind
Most of these have never seen the winners enclosure, and a lot of them probably never will, so it could rest between three that have tasted victory, So Sure, Staff Nurse and Manx Fizz, with a tentative vote going to So Sure. Pat Haslam's topweight is very lightly raced this season, but did mange to win a modest seller at Carlisle back in June, and could take this before embarking on a hurdles campaign. Nigel Tinkler's Staff Nurse takes a huge drop in trip following a decent second to Mama Jaffa at Catterick and could figure prominently, while Manx Fizz, a winner at Musselburgh back in May, is dropping down the weights, and could bounce back to form at rewarding odds. The John Hills trained Sound Leader has also shown a glimmer of ability this season and could be concerned in the finish. But in a race where bets should be miserley, So Sure gets the nod, with Staff Nurse and Manx Fizz offered as alternatives.