always towards rear
towards rear, ridden and headway 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, no impression
prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
went left start, prominent, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, soon no impression
made all, clear from over 2f out, easily
held up behind, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
prominent until weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
always behind
chased leaders to halfway
An awful race to finish off the card and the tentative choice here is Orangino, with small stakes advised and both Middleham Park and Orion Express suggested as dangers. The selection had been bang out of form until finishing third before being placed second by the stewards over six furlongs on firm ground last time. This step back up to a mile should not be too much of a problem judged on his previous form, and with conditions again in his favour and off the same mark he might just be up to the task. Middleham Park was well beaten after a break at Thirsk last time out and has been dropped a handy 6lb as a result. That gives him a bit of a chance here, having run well off a mark of 52 before and being just 2lb higher now. The trip will suit, though he is unproven on really fast ground, so that is of concern. Nevertheless in a weak race he can probably pick up some prize money. Orion Express should appreciate conditions and the return to a mile after a staying-on fourth of 14 behind Dark Day Blues here on firm ground last time out. With one of the better jockeys in the race, Serena Brotherton, on board, the colt looks capable of going close. However, we are tentatively going to side with Orangino to land the spoils.