prominent, headway to lead on bit 4f out, ridden 3f out, headed 1f out, ran on well but not pace of winner
held up in mid-division, ridden and headway 4f out, stayed on one pace final 2f
held up and always behind, ridden 7f out, soon weakened
ran green throughout, pulled hard and soon led, ran wide bend after 7f out, hung badly left 4f out and headed, rallied and led 1f out, quicken clear (impressively)
towards rear, ridden 7f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden 7f out, soon behind
pulled hard and chased leader, ridden 4f out, one pace
held up in touch, ridden 7f out, soon weakened
Grande Creole, Lutea and Fordingbridge are the three we like in the bumper to round off the card and the vote is given to Grande Creole. The selection showed enough promise in his two runs towards the end of last season to make him the one to beat here, and he is difficult to oppose on his seasonal reappearance. Lutea is the one we fear the most as this gelding from the Martin Pipe yard is entitled to plenty of respect given his stable's record in these type of events. However, our selection should have the edge on experience and he sets a fair standard here. Fordingbridge is another that hails from a leading yard but he would have to improve significantly on what he showed on his two runs last season to make him competitive here, and for the winner we return to Grande Creole.
