held up in rear, pushed along approaching 4f out, ridden next, kept on one pace from 2f out, no impression
disputed lead until ridden approaching 3f out, mistake and weakened before next
tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, effort next, soon outpaced, kept on one pace approaching last
midfield, headway 4th and in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 4f out, tailed off when pulled up before next
disputed lead, led approaching 3f out, ridden clear 2f out, stayed on strongly
held up towards rear, headway halfway, chased winner 3f out, ridden next, no extra approaching last
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 4f out
tracked leaders, lost place 5th, reminder next, ridden halfway, soon tailed off
A fair turn out for this valuable prize and the vote goes to Political Sox while Little Brown Bear, Mr Cavallo and Old Nosey are the main dangers. The selection confirmed the promise of a string of placed efforts when a comfortable winner over course and distance last month and, with conditions once again in his favour, is taken to defy a subsequent 6lb rise. Little Brown Bear has been in excellent heart of late notching back-to-back wins in a handicap chase of this mark and in a novice hurdle over course and distance last time. However, the later race took little winning and he may prove vulnerable back over hurdles while Mr Cavallo has claims on an earlier second in similar company at Sedgefield but was pulled up last time and now has something to prove. Old Nosey has been comfortably held off similar marks of late but shapes as though this step up in trip will suit so can't be discounted off a low weight but Political Sox has sound credentials and looks the one to beat.
