in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong
slowly away, always towards rear
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced at 4f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
led for one and a half furlongs, remained close up, led again 5f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
always towards rear
mid-division, effort over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
slowly away, soon chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led final furlong, headed inside final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led after one and a half furlongs, headed 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off over 2f out
towards rear, ridden and headway on outer over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
This is an above average claimer, but Forthright is still taking a steep drop in class and Clive Brittain's gelding is fancied to go well at big odds, although the likes of Great Scott, Cartronageeraghlad, Romaric, Familiar Affair and Grand But One will all make life hard for him. Familiar Affair and Grand But One arguably come here in the best form, the former having won a similar race at Ripon a couple of starts ago, while the latter beat subsequent scorer Triple Jump at the same track. Romaric was a decent juvenile for David Loder and ran with plenty of credit in light of a stiff task when fourth to the smart Polar Way at Warwick last time on his first start for John Norton. He should find this a good deal easier. Mark Johnston's Great Scott and Jamie Osborne's Cartronageeraghlad have both been slightly disappointing of late, but if returning to form they can both be given a chance at these weights. However, our selection here goes to Forthright, from the Clive Brittain stable which boasts a decent record at this rack over the years. He finished an excellent sixth in the Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot in June off a mark of 90, and was noted making encouraging late headway at the same track on his last run, when he finished in mid-division behind Granston in another competitive race. Although this is a competitive race, it should be an easier task for Forthright, who is certainly weighted to win this and should give us a good run for our money.
