tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
close up, pressed leader on bit over 1f out, soon ridden and found nil
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken
towards rear, soon ridden, headway halfway, carried head high, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
slow into stride, always in rear
led, ridden and headed well over 2f out, soon weakened
outpaced, never dangerous
close up, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
outpaced, kept on under pressure final 2f, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened
soon ridden, never troubled leaders
A particularly poor event and the vote goes to Blakeset in the hope that he retains enough of his old ability to prevail. Formerly a useful all-weather handicapper before being lightly campaigned in the States last year, the eight-year-old ran only moderately on his return to these shores in a claimer here in February. However, the son of Midyan is entitled to improve for his first start for six months and is thrown-in on his old form so is given another chance in this weaker event. Capital Access and Pips Song have claims on the pick of their form but neither have been showing enough of late to warrant support so Octennial rates the biggest danger to the selection. The four-year-old hails from an in-form yard and shaped with promise following a break when second in similar company at Leicester last week.
