with leader, led over 7f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on never nearer
slow into stride, behind, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
led, headed over 7f out, stayed prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out
held up never troubled leaders
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden every chance at 2f out, stayed on
slow to stride, always behind
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
slow to stride always behind
Mainly exposed sorts in this with the weights headed by Barman, who goes well fresh so the lack of a recent outing is not a worry. However, he looks to face a difficult task to give 12lbs to Blackmail, who has improved leaps and bounds this winter and can race off just a 1lb higher mark than when last successful on the Polytrack. Brooke Sanders five-year-old has clearly benefited for the fitting of blinkers and looks the one to beat. Dream Magic is a capable performer, but it looks as though the Handicapper has hold of him for the time being, while failed hurdler Medallist would have a chance if he could reproduce his third to Port Moresby at Headquarters last August, off a 1lb higher mark. Front-runner Castleshane is ideally drawn in stall two and if allowed a free role up front, he may take a bit of pegging back.