held up, ridden and headway 3f out on outside, weakened over 1f out
in touch, hampered over 3f out, soon ridden, hampered again over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader and keen, ridden over 2f out, eased when weakening over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and hampered over 3f out when weakening
tracked leaders, not much room on inside over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong
in touch, headway over 4f out, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, headway on bit 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up, headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong
always behind
Placed in his last two starts, Sporting Gesture is bound to be popular with backers but, having been raised 4lbs by the handicapper since the latest of those efforts, he looks worth taking on and our vote goes to recent course and distance winner Archie Babe, who gets the verdict over the reappearing Camzo. The selection won the opening race of the new season at Doncaster and, although failing to trouble the judge since then until winning at the last meeting here, there are valid excuses for those defeats. A 7lb rise for that latest win looks harsh but Archie Babe won with plenty in hand then and he remains well treated on his best form of a couple of seasons ago. Peter Harris has made a slow start to the campaign but with his string in better heart now, Camzo comes into the reckoning here, although he may strip fitter for the outing. Lynda Ramsden's team has been similarly quiet but her runners here always warrant respect so Prize Ring is one to note, particularly if the market speaks in his favour. Swynford Pleasure is gradually slipping to an attractive mark but has yet to prove his effectiveness over this trip.
