chased leader, led 4th, headed after 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
led, headed 4th, led again after 5th, headed 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 14th
tracked leaders, weakened 11th, behind when pulled up before 14th
in touch when fell 2nd
held up mid-division, weakened from 5 out
held up, headway approaching 13th, ridden 4 out, weakened next
held up, good headway to join leader 10th, led approaching 13th, headed approaching 15th, led again after 4 out, ridden approaching last, headed flat, one pace
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, kept on well to lead after last
in touch, ridden after 4 out, soon no impression
held up in mid-division, headway to join leaders 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 13th
chased leaders, led 7th, headed approaching 13th, soon weakened
always behind and pushed along, hampered 2nd, tailed off from 9th, pulled up before 14th
held up in rear, headway 12th, led approaching 15th, ridden and headed after 4 out, one pace from 2 out
Weaver George gets the vote in the opener with Be The Tops, Palisander and River Trix the best of the remainder. The selection is nearing the veteran stage but he has dropped to a handy mark and he shaped slightly better last time at Carlisle when fourth behind Hallrule on ground that was softer than ideal. This faster surface should suit and he is taken to score on a track where he usually goes well. Be The Tops has the services of AP McCoy and has obvious claims if he can reproduce his recent third behind Sterling Dot Com at Exeter. River Trix is dropped in grade so is another worth serious consideration while Palisander is in good form of late but he is unproven at the trip so is probably best watched on this occasion. Southerndown is another that has tumbled down the handicap so he is potentially well-in, but we are happy to stick with Weaver George as our idea of the winner.
