tracked leader, led after 5th to 7th, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd flat
chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led next, headed 7th, weakened quickly approaching 2 out
in mid-division, behind when hit 8th, tailed off
raced keenly, close-up until weakened quickly after 3 out
in mid-division, behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
raced wide, held up, never in contention, tailed off 3 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, headway under pressure after 3 out, one pace and no impression leaders from next
in touch, chased leaders from 6th, chased winner from 2 out, looked reluctant under pressure, no impression when mistake last
held up in rear, hit 5th, tailed off 7th, pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway under pressure to chase leaders approaching 2 out, weakened flat
prominent, ridden along and lost place after 3rd, stayed on approaching 2 out, no chance
held up and behind, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, virtually pulled up flat
led to after 5th, soon lost place, stayed on after 3 out, 6th and no chance when jumped left last
Martin Pie's Quick has been in good form this season but his winning run was brought to an end when upped in class at Newbury last time and he looks worth taking on, which we do with Midnight Creek, who is preferred to Fabrezan. The last mentioned has won his last three starts but has more to do here off his new mark, while Nicky Henderson's Old Bean beat a poor bunch at Plumpton last time and faces no easy task on his debut in a handicap today. Nick Gifford's Indeed reverted to hurdling, after a spell chasing, when down the field at Wincanton last month. He is probably better than he showed there and may do better today, while Zero Risk has failed to complete on his last two outings and cannot be ruled out, assuming that he does not make similar mistakes today. The reappearing Heracles and in-form lightweight Leith Hill Star are others to consider but preference is for Midnight Creek. Admittedly, the Venetia Williams-trained gelding has found one too good in each of his three starts this term but the form of those races is solid and he looks worth one more chance with trip and ground to suit.
