led to 5th, remained in touch, pushed along and lost place 14th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out
towards rear, pushed along 16th, soon lost touch
tracked leader, led 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, no extra approaching last
tracked leaders, pushed along 16th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, one pace flat
held up towards rear, headway 15th, ridden and outpaced after next
tracked leaders, close up 16th, led 3 out, ridden out
tracked leaders, pushed along 18th, ridden 4 out, one pace next
towards rear, weaken 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 16th
towards rear, never dangerous
No Retreat, Lord Capitaine and Iron Express look the principles in another tight affair but the confident vote is given to No Retreat. The selection ran well after a long absence when third behind Pharaway Citizen last time at Bangor. He is sure to come on for the run and remains well-weighted on his best form of a couple of seasons ago. He also has conditions to suit here so looks difficult to oppose. Lord Capitaine is a course and distance winner who was a good second behind Red Rampage last time. He is better off at the weights with that rival here and should get closer, but his stable is not in the best of form and he is opposed for that reason. Iron Express won well last time out when defeating Red Perk but he looks opposable under his penalty. Kings Bounty is the other worth a second look as he continues to run well without getting his head in front, and he is steadily rising in the handicap as a result, so we will return to to No Retreat who gets the vote.
