always in rear, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, ran on
tracked winner until ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, rallied inside final furlong
raced wide, in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 3f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f
close up, pushed along 3f out, ridden to chase leading pair over 1f out, ran on to go 2nd towards finish
slowly into stride, raced wide, keen and headway to go in touch after 3f, ridden and outpaced over 2f out
These maiden handicaps are rarely straightforward and this one is no exception. But NEVER SAY has to go on the short-list given he's twice only found one too good over course and distance since the turn of the year, though he is creeping up the weights. Toffee Apple is relatively unexposed while Rupert Boy went close over 7f here two runs ago, though this will be his first try over a longer distance. Ryan The Giant appears to have two ways of running but maybe a change of scenery will bring more consistency and he's probably better treated than most in an ordinary affair.
Toffee Apple (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 9 1/4l behind With Pleasure (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Rupert Boy (IRE) 5-2 (8-4) With leader, driven halfway, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 8l behind Kestrel Call (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Ryan The Giant 12-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Israfel (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Rainbow Lad (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Ridden along and switched to outer after 1f, in rear, soon outpaced, 8th of 9, 18 3/4l behind Specialv (9-7) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Never Say (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Soon pushed along in rear, switched to outer after 2f, ridden and headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no threat to winner, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Kemsing (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Edith Weston 33-1 (8-12) Slowly away towards rear, ridden and kept on final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Israfel (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Divine Touch 33-1 (9-0) Always behind, 10th of 14, 17l behind Queen's Trust (9-0) at Kempton 7f mdn fll stks (4) pol in Sep.
Simply Clever 12-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 3f out until well over 1f out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 6 1/2l behind Brave Archibald (9-1) at Lingfield 7f (6) pol in Aug.
