behind, some headway over 3f out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, led inside final furlong, all out
led, ridden and headed over 4f out, soon weakened
chased leader, led briefly over 4f out, weakening when not much room just over 2f out
dwelt, held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, led 4f out, ridden well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
held up towards rear, some headway final 2f, never near leaders
prominent, chased leader over 4f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
This could be a good chance for Interstice to return to the winner's enclosure, with Ipledgeallegiance and Paradise Valley also having claims in a race where many still have to prove it over this trip. Interstice, has been contesting races over a range of trips around this mile and a half and most significantly, his best recent run of form came at the turn of the year, when he won three on the trot at Southwell and then finished second here, with three of those four races being over this distance. Although his recent turf form does not inspire confidence, now he is back on this surface we expect a big performance from him and he can score. Although 8lb worse off with the selection than official ratings would suggest, Ipledgeallegiance is a fairly capable individual who at least has experience of the track here. Admittedly, he has plummeted through the ratings recently, but Tony Culhane gets on well with him and can galvanise him to greater efforts on the fibresand. Of the remainder, Paradise Valley will have plenty of time to overcome an unfavourable draw, and won nicely at Leicester last time. However, the combination of a 4lb rise and an extra two furlongs are likely to prove his undoing here. So we will stick with our original selection, Interstice.
