towards rear, ran in snatches, never a danger
chased leader, ridden to lead 3f out, weakened and headed 2f out
in touch, weakened 3f out
in touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, all out when headed inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 3f out to chase leaders, ridden and soon weakened
tracked leaders, every chance 1f out, one pace
in rear, ridden 3f out and headway, chased leaders over 1f out, soon one pace
held up rear and keen, steady headway over 2f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, kept on
held up rear and keen, never better than mid-division
toward rear, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway 3f out, every chance 1f out, no extra
led, ridden 3f out, soon headed and weakened
mid to rear, some late headway
Mark Brisbourne is always a trainer to have on your side on the all weather and his representative York Cliff can do us proud today, with the penalized Midshipman along with Iffy others to bear in mind if there are positive indications surrounding their chances. The last mentioned is only 2lb higher than he was when winning a handicap at Ascot in the summer and has claims on that run alone. However, he was disappointing here last time and has to banish the memory of that run before being a serious consideration at Dunstall Park. Midshipman has continually paid his way over the years and has adapted well to the new surface here. However, he carries a 7lb penalty and top weight here and, despite his rider's claim, looks opposable for win only purposes. Therefore, we switch allegiances to York Cliff, who shaped as if back to something like his best here nine days ago. Having raced off as high as 90 in the past, a current mark of 58 looks very lenient in the context of this race. So York Cliff is given the benefit of the doubt as he bids to exploit the handicapper's leniency.