held up, ridden in headway 2f out, every chance inside, kept on just held close home
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on approaching final furlong, no impression
mid-division, effort over 3f out, never dangerous
chase leaders, led 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong
always towards rear
in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, just held on
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong
chase leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, effort over 3f out, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened 2f out
steadied start, towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong
steadied start, towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous after
A twenty-runner claimer to kick off the evening card but official ratings give Sawwaah an outstanding chance. However, Kieren Fallon has been booked for that one's stablemate, Locombe Hill, and we feel the hint should be taken. A caveat about their chances is that they are both drawn very wide, which holds a slight disadvantage at the track unless the going is on the easy side. Sawwaah, officially rated 82, he has a good bit in hand over his nearest rival Locombe Hill (rated 68, but receiving 7lbs from Sawwaah), followed then by First Maite (rated 65, receiving 7lbs) and Rymer's Rascal (rated 56, receiving 12lbs). The others are rated between 53 and 38. Sawwaah and Locombe Hill met in an Ayr claimer over nine furlongs last September when Sawwaah, in receipt of 10lbs, finished just over seven lengths in front. Locombe Hill now has a weight pull of 16lbs. That provides food for thought and swings the balance of hope in his favour. The unraced horses, Will He Wish and Raise Your Glass, have been beaten in selling hurdles and bumpers, respectively. Of the others, Canlis formerly with Barry Hills, could go well in this lesser grade. Lord Of Methley came good in a first-time visor last time in a Ripon seller and can be expected to race prominently throughout. First Maite has winning form from tonight's mark while Prince Pyramus, who has not won since his two-year-old days, suggested last time that cheekpieces might be yet suit him. However, the each-way option could well be Rymer's Rascal. He is now an eleven-year-old but is the only course winner in the race and recent runs suggest he has retained form enough to be competitive. Once again, though, he is drawn wide in stall 16. The quirky King Priam can certainly be given chances on the best of his form, having dropped to a mark of just 39.
