mid-division, effort and some headway 4f out, never dangerous
held up, ridden and headway 3f out, switched right over 2f out, edged left well over 1f out, kept on
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 4f out, never dangerous
towards rear, ridden approaching 4f out, headway over 3f out, weakened final furlong
held up mid-division, headway approaching 3f out, ridden to go 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out
in rear, ridden 4f out, headway over 3 out, kept on one pace final
mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, kept on
led and soon clear, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, kept on
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway 4f out, soon ridden, weakened and eased over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
always behind, eased over 1f out
chased clear leader, ridden 3f out, one pace
This isn't as competitive as the numbers might suggest. A winner under all three codes, Bustling Rio is every owners dream having won fourteen races in four years. However, he has no easy task giving weight away all round. Bold Ewar comes into this in top form, but he has been none to reliable in the past and it isn't difficult to look elsewhere. Spa Lane will be all the better for his recent outing at Nottingham and has a decent record here, having won twice, but now 10, it will be something of a surprise if there isn't something to beat him on these terms. Jamaican Fight is another old favourite and has had a successful time on the sand this winter, winning a couple of races taking his lifetime total to 17. However, he hasn't won on turf since the summer of 1999. Lightly raced on the flat in recent years, Totally Scottish could be well in here off a mark of 43. He has been in good form over hurdles and is one to keep an eye on. But the vote goes to Broughton Zest, who has looked an improved performer of late. John Best's four-year-old is unexposed over this trip, winning twice from three outings. He will not mind the prevailing conditions and can make the long journey from Maidstone pay off.