close up, pushed along 4f out, weakened 2f out
prominent, chased winner 8f out, challenged 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, smooth headway on inside over 2f out, every chance 1f out, found no extra inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked winner to 8f out, remained handy until weakened over 1f out
made all, ridden over 1f out, hard driven final furlong, held on gamely all out
dwelt, held up, effort on outside and driven along over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, strong challenge near finish, just failed
Lava Steps made hard work of landing odds of 4/7 when taking a maiden here last month and is likely to find the return to handicap company tougher with more solid claims held by BOUNDLESS PROSPECT, who can win again here with the main danger rated as My Friend Fritz. Peter Hiatt's gelding has a decent record here having won at the track on four occasions and he has solid claims with the likelihood that there may be more to come from him following his first outing since May when a close second to Dart last month. Richard Guest's Russian Invader has little to recommend him and of more interest may be Onemoreandstay. Michael Squance's mare has won here twice previously and is only 4lbs higher than when successful over course and distance in April so she cannot be discounted. Preference though is for Boundless Prospect who represents the in-form stable of David Evans, has a good record here and he can follow up his recent course and distance success despite having to race of an 8lb higher mark.
Boundless Prospect (USA) 5-2fav (8-8) Soon pushed along and not travelling in rear until picked up into 3rd over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec beating Moonshine Creek (8-13) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Nawow 50-1 (9-5) Led narrowly, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened quickly from 2f out, 15th of 16, 28l behind Times Vital (8-10) at Newbury 1m 4f hcap (4) gd in Sep '08.
Onemoreandstay 11-4 (9-4) In touch, switched right and headway 3f out, led well over 2f out, soon switched to stand rail, hard driven 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Boundless Prospect (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Lava Steps (USA) 4-7fav (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon challenged, stayed on strongly final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec beating In Secret (8-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Dan Buoy (FR) 20-1 (9-0) Led, weakened and headed over 4f out, tailed off, last of 7, 41l behind Bentley Brook (10-0) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Russian Invader (IRE) 11-1 (10-4) Mid-division, headway on outside halfway, challenged over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened and lost place over 1f out, 5th of 11, 18l behind William's Way (10-9) at Southwell 2m Amateur Handicap (0-65) (4yo+) (6) fbs.
My Friend Fritz 16-1 (9-10) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on and every chance until no extra final 75 yards, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Dart (9-3) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.