held up, ridden and lost touch 5f out, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out
in touch, headway 7f out, led over 5f out, headed 3f out, one pace
prominent, lost place 9f out, headway again 6f out, kept on one pace 2f out
held up in rear, some headway under pressure 4f out, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed over 5f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, held up in touch, ridden 7f out, weakened over 4f out
tracked leader, ridden 6f out, weakened quickly over 4f out, tailed off
A very moderate contest to open proceedings. Young Frankie McDonald had a nightmare on Rebelle at Southwell and Micky Fenton is brought in for the ride on Ian Wood's charge. Why the handicapper put him up 5lb for that second is hard to fathom but he looks the best of a modest bunch. Sir Mark Prescott won't have many horses rated 31 in his yard. The market should prove the best guide to Nabokov's chances. Established's trainer is in form but he is plenty exposed. Jamaican Flight is tipped as a confident each-way selection. He chased home Or Royal off a mark of 49 last February and he is 15lbs lower on this occasion. Fit from a recent spin over hurdles at Market Rasen, the handicapper looks to have given him every chance on the level. Ulshaw is watched on return from an absence whilst Dazzling Rio has yet to show that he handles this surface.