prominent, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, edged left, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader 5f, weakened over 1f out, hampered inside final furlong
awkward start in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on well
tracked leaders, raced keenly, struggling to hold position when not clear run over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, no impression
steadied start, held up towards rear, switched left over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
bumped start, held up in rear, switched right over 2f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
dwelt, towards rear, ridden 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to trouble leaders
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 5f out, not clear run well over 1f out, soon switched right, weakened entering final furlong
On these terms HEAD DOWN is hard to ignore and he is our selection to land this claimer in preference to Statute Book and Brooksby. Stepping down into this company for the first time the selection hails from the in form Richard Hannon yard and will be partnered by the form jockey of the moment Richard Hughes. He banished a poor run on his penultimate start to just miss out on a place last time and his handicap form sets the standard. Statute Book is rated three pounds worse than the selection but only receives one. That said his win in a Kempton Handicap in March off a mark of 74 has him a bit nearer to the pick so he should be in close order. At the weights Brooksby's not completely out of the reckoning so should be considered while Indian Skipper's close shave in a Newmarket Handicap two starts ago gives him a shot although the terms looks against him. As claimers go is pretty good and Head Down looks the one to be with.
Indian Skipper (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Prominent for 5f, 16th of 19, 32l behind Prince Evelith (8-11) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Jun.
Solent Ridge (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened and edging right, last of 10, 9l behind I Confess (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in May.
Cruikadyke 9-1 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 7l behind Dome Rocket (9-5) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Cadeaux Fax 100-1 (9-5) Raced keenly, pressed leader until ridden 3f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Red Current (8-7) at Chepstow 1m clm stks (6) gf.
Head Down 9-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 1f out, switched left 1f out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Arthur's Edge (9-2) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Statute Book (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Mid-division on outside, headway to chase winner over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Captain Jacksparra (9-8) at Lingfield 1m clm stks (6) pol.
Flying Gazebo (IRE) 22-1 (9-2) Mid-division, weakened 3f out, 8th of 13, 17l behind Royal Superlative (8-8) at Chepstow 1m mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
Tender Charm (USA) 10-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 12l behind Chief Red Cloud (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Peace Concluded 6-1 (8-13) Outpaced and behind, ridden 4f out, kept on, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 12l behind Swiss Art (8-9) at Southwell 1m 3yo clm stks (5) fbs.
Brooksby 12-1 (7-8) Dwelt, soon chased leaders, ridden halfway, hung badly left from over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Ogre (9-1) at Epsom Downs 7f clm stks (5) gd.
