took keen hold to lead, headed 4f out and soon behind
held up mid-division, headway on inner 2f out, switched left and ridden to lead approaching final furlong, kept on
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
in touch, led 4f out, ridden over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
held up behind leaders, pushed along over 3f out, one pace final 2f
towards rear, headway over 3f out, no impression final 2f
towards rear, not much room and switched left over 2f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
never better than mid-division
towards rear, some late headway but never near to challenge
mid-division, effort over 3f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, towards rear and never dangerous
in touch, chased along over 3f out, soon behind
Seraph looks to have been given a chance here and we will take him to see off Lord Of Methley and Sportsman. Seraph remains on a mark of 40, the same as when beaten two lengths into third by Berkeley Heights last time, and also as when winning over this trip at Lingfield on the polytrack a month ago. The big imponderable is the ground, which could arguably be a bit quick for him, but he is in form and looks well treated compared to many here, so he is our tentative choice. Sportsman has been dropped 5lb after a thrashing at Southwell last time and he has looked in need of a shorter trip for some time. He gets that here and it could be enough to see a marked improvement, and so a place could be on the cards. Lord Of Methley goes well on a fast surface and that may help him get home over a trip that he has been tried at just once before. Generally accustomed to a mile, this will clearly stretch his stamina, but it is not a tough race and he may be good enough to be involved in the shake-up. The rest make very little appeal and we will go with Seraph to score.
