tracked leader on outside, effort 2f out, ridden and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner
reared start, well in rear, some moderate late headway from over 1f out, never dangerous
prominent, headway on inside to lead over 1f out, quickened clear inside final furlong, driven out
held up behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not troubled leaders
led until headed over 1f out, one pace and lost 2nd close home
mid-division, steady headway from over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
close up on outside, ridden and effort over 2f out, not quicken, soon weakened
started slowly, held up behind, under pressure 3f out, well behind final 2f
held up behind, mid-division, ridden over 2f out and wide straight, kept on final furlong, not troubled leaders
in touch on outside, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, under pressure over 3f out, soon lost touch, eased and tailed off final 2f
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon lost touch and behind final 2f
In a field where there's little to make much appeal, there are fewer negatives about RED RUDY than most, and he's top of our shortlist, ahead of Waterside and Prince Noel. Tony Carroll's gelding's wins have all come over slightly further, but whatever race he's been put in he's been competitive, and that may be the key here, as it's a poor contest. A winner of a modest Kempton handicap a couple of months ago, that seems to be the best recent form in the field. Prince Noel and Waterside are both course and distance winners, but not recently. Likewise Bookiebasher Babe and Machinate, but these are all running at this level for a reason. Short priced favourites have made a habit of landing this contest in recent years so a check on the market's advised. Anything could win it, but we'll side with Red Rudy.
My Mate Mal 9-2 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 6th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Rowan Lodge (9-13) at Beverley 1m sell stks (5) gf.
Red Rudy 12-1 (7-13) Raced keenly behind, headway over 1f out, not pace to challenge, kept on to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Highly Regal (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Sign of The Cross 5-1 (9-3) Pulled hard in mid-division, some headway and ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 13, 6l behind Brouhaha (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Waterside (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Mid-division, lost place soon after halfway, 7th of 10, 8l behind What's Up Doc (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol.
Andorn (GER) 5-2 (9-5) Close up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 18th of 20, 23l behind El Dececy (9-5) at Redcar 7f sell stks (6) fm.
Bookiebasher Babe (IRE) 28-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon driven and beaten, last of 6, 22l behind North Parade (9-3) at Southwell 1m clm stks (6) fbs in Feb.
Machinate (USA) 20-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, wide straight,weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 9l behind Waterside (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f sell stks (6) pol.
My Boy Nick 200-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened approaching 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Pterodactyl (11-6) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd, 13 ran.
Newby Abbey (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, headway to lead approaching 4th, headed after 6th, weakened quickly after next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by The Wooden Spoon (11-12) at Stratford 2m 6f sell hdl (5) gf in Mar, 16 ran.
Prince Noel 4-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 8th of 17, 5l behind Rowan Lodge (9-13) at Beverley 1m sell stks (5) gf.
Ten Pole Tudor 9-1 (8-9) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden and edged right well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Watchmaker (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (6) pol.
Dream Street Rose (USA) 14-1 (10-7) Prominent, weakened quickly 6f out, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Willow Wren (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m N H flat lst (6) gd in Mar.
Kathanikki Girl (IRE) 66-1 (8-5) Raced wide, always behind, tailed off, last of 11, 36l behind Give Us A Song (8-9) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Oct.
