held up, took closer order approaching 7th, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, blundered badly 2nd, soon lost place, behind, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, blundered badly 3rd, chased winner from 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, in 3rd when fell 5 out
held up, headway 5 out, chased winner 4 out, ridden approaching next, kept on from last
chased winner, pushed along 9th, lost place next, soon behind
West country raiders Wave Rock and Dorans Gold can make their presence felt, along with Mr Baxter Basics and Korakor who are also in with a shout. Mr Baxter Basics and Wave Rock met at Worcester 12 days ago, with the former coming out on top despite jumping to the right. However, they meet at level weights here, which makes Wave Rock 3lbs better off for the two lengths that separated them and therefore the one to be on. The Hobbs horse needs to be produced at just the right time and Richard Johnson is sure to bide his time before pouncing at the last. Ei Ei will no doubt set out to try and make all, which should set it up for the principals, including topweight Korakor who hails from an in-form stable. Dorans Gold has been steadily rising up the handicap but always seems to be involved at this sort of level and it would be no surprise were he to get into the shake-up as well in an open race.