settled in mid-division, never dangerous
led, hung badly right after 2f, raced alone on far side rail from halfway, rider had steering problems, headed over 4f out, soon weakened, virtually pulled up
held up in rear, headway well over 3f out, led over 2f out, clear entering final furlong, ran on well
in touch, lost place over 3f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 6f out, effort over 3f out, soon one pace
dwelt, soon tracking leaders, hard ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led chasing group, overall leader over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same approaching final furlong
behind, some late headway, never nearer
tracked leaders, under pressure over 4f out, soon weakened
A few of these in this handicap have a bit of stamina to prove and although BIVOUAC falls into that category he gets the call ahead of the unexposed Sarah's Boy and the improving Mustajed. Arriving here chasing a hat-trick on the level the pick does stay further than this over timber. The late nature of his last time out score also suggest this step up in trip will suit and also makes him hard to assess. Sarah's Boy is a rare flat raider for David Pipe and found just the one too good when trying to follow up under a penalty last time. She should run her race again but the handicapper hasn't done her any favours and she is untested over this far. Mustajed is weighted to be a lot closer to the pick after their meeting last time but much of his chance will depend on how he runs at Chepstow on Monday. Eseej has a good record at this venue and off his last winning mark has to be considered while Three Boars is the only course and distance winner here so is another for the list. A tricky race to judge but on this form the edge seems to be with Bivouac.
Saloon (USA) 12-1 (9-5) Held up, always behind, 8th of 11, 22l behind Red Wine (8-10) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr.
Eseej (USA) 12-1 (8-9) Set steady pace, ridden and tried to quicken over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 7l behind Kames Park (9-1) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Bivouac (UAE) 11-4fav (8-7) Tracked leaders, chased leader 3f out, ridden 2f out, challenged from over 1f out, wore down leader to lead well inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr beating Daaweitza (8-12) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Snow's Ride 8-1 (9-4) Held up, pushed along over 5f out, no impression 2f out, 9th of 13, 8l behind Solomon's Mine (9-9) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Mar '05.
Mehendi (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 14, 16l behind Shekan Star (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 2f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Three Boars 17-2 (8-13) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and drew clear inside final furlong, readily, won at Southwell 1m 6f clm stks (6) fbs in Mar beating Dream In Blue (8-13) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sarah's Boy 11-8fav (8-10) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon hung left, no chance with winner final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Tyrana (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
Tifoso (FR) 66-1 (9-1) Chased leaders early, mid-division, struggling 3f out, 11th of 14, 10l behind Drizzi (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Dawn Storm (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Held up, headway 11f out, weakened 3f out, 6th of 13, 17l behind Bold Adventure (9-8) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Mustajed 7-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to go 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Picot de Say (8-11) at Chepstow 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
