led over 4f
with leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, edged right final furlong
slowly into stride, outpaced
slowly away, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on, edged left final furlong, nearest finish
slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous
outpaced, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden and headway on inside 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on same pace final 2f
stumbled start, unseated rider
held up in rear, kept on from over 1f out, not much room inside final furlong
in touch, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace
A very weak event to start proceedings and it may fall to Vesta Flame, with Bond Moonlight and Winsabonus put forward as the main dangers. Vesta Flame does at least boast some decent placed efforts in similar company at Wolverhampton last winter. He had a spin over the jumps in November so should be reasonably fit for his return to the all-weather. Bond Moonlight takes a step down in trip having performed badly over middle distances. He has a lot of questions to answer but has plenty in hand of the selection on official ratings and has to be a major threat. Winsabonus is the dark horse in the line up. He is a stable companion of the selection and had his first race for three years when down the field in a hurdle event at Catterick 12 days ago. He ran over six furlongs as a two-year-old but should be seen to better effect over this trip. Dalida has bits and pieces of form, enough to warrant respect in this company, but Vesta Flame, if fit, should make them all go.
