held up, headway after 5th, ridden after next, weakened approaching last
held up, headway after 3 out, ridden when hampered approaching last, stayed on to lead towards finish
blundered badly 2nd, soon behind
led, soon clear, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway 4th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and hung badly left approaching last, hung left again and headed towards finish
chased leader from 2nd, every chance 2 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders to 4th, soon weakened
In a tricky race, Donovan gets a tentative vote in a race where you could build a case for just about all the runners. Donovan drops back in trip after possibly failing to stay at Perth last time and is entitled to respect, even though he is nine pounds higher in the ratings than when scoring at Bangor in August. Given that he is two-pounds lower in the ratings now than when scoring at Newton Abbot in June 2003, Saorsie can be given a chance, although the form of his last 10 runs is modest. Lady Jeannie showed some promise last time out, although her overall form leaves her something to find. Irish raider Fagin's chance is not an obvious one based on recent form, and he is set to soon drop six pounds in the ratings. However, his trainer is canny so maybe the betting market might provide some clues. Coxwell Cossack and Bentyheath Lane are a bit in-and-out these days and Mister Graham has so far failed to build on his Fakenham selling win. This turns us to the other Irish raider, Tingshaw Ring, but she has yet to win a race, although Tony McCoy is a very interesting booking. As we say, it's tricky so watch the betting for clues but, without this, we will opt for Donovan.
