held up in 5th, headway into 3rd after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and stayed on run-in, always just held
led until 3 out, weakened quickly soon after
tracked leader, led 3 out, made rest, ridden and stayed on well run-in, always just doing enough
held up in last pair, awkward 5th, pushed along before 7th, soon outpaced and struggling
chased leaders on inside, pushed along and outpaced before 4 out, soon beaten
held up in rear, driven along in modest 4th after 3 out, no impression
raced wide tracking leaders, hit 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, went badly left hit next and nearly unseated rider, soon lost 2nd and no extra in 3rd
NonRunner
This is a very competitive handicap in which most have some sort of chance. Restitution came back to form at Wincanton and cheekpieces are added here. The lightly-raced Wiseguy found only one too good on his handicap debut at Cheltenham in November but Abuffalosoldier has been racing over further. I Spy A Diva won three times in the autumn and she ran well at Cheltenham last month while, though an eight-year-old maiden, Hauraki Gulf is not out of this. Bertie Blue easily won a Southwell handicap latest but RED DIRT ROAD is still improving and has every chance of staying this trip if settling better than at Cheltenham last time.
Red Dirt Road (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Led until 2nd, led next, hung right and headed after 3 out, held when not fluent last, hung right and kept on flat, 4th of 9, 7l behind The Friday Man (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Apr.
Abuffalosoldier (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) In touch in mid-division on inside, closed before 4th, lost place from 7th, rallied before last, no extra flat, 6th of 11, 7 3/4l behind Broadway Boy (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
I Spy A Diva 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, every chance last, stayed on, held by winner and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Ahorsewithnoname (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gd in Apr.
Restitution (FR) 14-1 (11-13) Held up in rear, gradual headway from 3 out, raced wide and ridden off home turn, rallied gamely approaching last, took third inside final 110 yards, 3rd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Buckhorn Rocco (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Wiseguy (IRE) 5-2 (10-13) Prominent in chasing group, led last (normal 2 out), ridden hung left and headed extended run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Unanswered (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Midnight Ginger 13-2 (12-0) Held up in touch, 4th and ridden final bend, well held from 3 out, 5th of 13, 20 1/2l behind Kincardine (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Bertie Blue 13-2 (11-11) Mid-division, went second approaching 2 out, led before next, soon ridden and went clear, kept on well, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Apr beating White Rhino (11-7) by 7l, 13 ran.
Hauraki Gulf 6-4fav (11-6) Not that fluent, chased winner, mistake 4 out, soon ridden, held from 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Exmoor Forest (11-6) at Warwick 3m 1f mdn (4) gd in May.
