prominent and pulled hard, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly
mid-division, headway over 6f out, ridden to go 2nd over 2f out, stayed on towards finish
led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch until weakened over 6f out
mid-division, headway halfway, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened over 3f out
towards rear, ridden 5f out, stayed on final 2f, never nearer
pulled hard, headway after 2f, weakened over 5f out
behind, kept on final 2f, never dangerous
mid-division, headway over 6f out, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, all out
always behind
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
This should prove to be a penalty kick for Acushnet with Back With A Bang, Sweet Home, Bryans Back and Zen Garden worthy of mention. The selection came back from a lay off to win very easily at Worcester last time out and will have now problems carrying a penalty to success this time around. Newcomers Sweet Home and Bryans Back come from yards that do well in these races so are worth noting in the market. Back With A Bang ran well enough to finish third last time out to suggest he can win a similar contest soon while Zen Garden will improve from his debut so is another to look out for. But for the winner we return to Acushnet.
Acushnet 13-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 5f out, led on bit over 1f out, very easily, won at Worcester 2m nhf (H) gd beating Noble Sham (11-2) by 4l, 13 ran.
Back With A Bang (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Tickers Way (10-8) at Stratford 2m mdn nhf (H) gf in Jun.
Soviet Committee 25-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden and every chance over 3f out, weakened final 2f, 8th of 17, 35l behind Buena Vista (10-2) at Doncaster 2m mdn nhf (H) gd in Jan.
Sweep Home Safawan gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Prince de Galles.
Bryans Bach (IRE) Good Thyne gelding, second foal out of a half-sister to high-class hurdler/chaser Barnbrook Again.
Anna Gee 8-1 (10-7) Always behind, last of 10, well behind Star Shot (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) sft in Jun.
Ericas Charm 8-1 (10-13) In touch, 8th halfway, no extra over 4f out, 16th of 30, 46l behind Detonante (10-13) at Punchestown 2m nhf gd in Apr '04.
Zen Garden 3-1fav (10-8) Held up and keen, ridden and headway over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 12, 12l behind Don And Gerry (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nhf (H) gf in Jun.