prominent, ridden over 2f, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
held up, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, ridden to lead again final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on
chased leaders to halfway, soon outpaced
towards rear, never dangerous
held up, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear, edged left over 2f out, never near to challenge
Two of the 12 runners line up with recent winning form, namely Henry Tun and Gilded Cove, and they, along with topweight Hawk and the unexposed Woodland Blaze should make their presence felt, with Hawk taken to oblige. Henry Tun has won over the course and distance four times in all, including a week ago when getting the better of Woodland Blaze and Hawk. A look at the weights this time reveals that Hawk is now 6lbs better off with the winner for the three and a half lengths that separated them and should also turn the tables on the runner-up on the revised terms. Dandy Nichols won't be happy that Hawk has topweight and indeed should he return to winning ways here, another march up the handicap awaits. However, based on that last effort, he must surely go close. Gilded Cove has more to do than when landing a claimer last time but there was no doubting his battling qualities at Wolverhampton and he may make the frame.