held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd last strides
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened when hung left over 1f out
held up towards rear, kept on from over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on
held up and pulled hard, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, keen, soon held up, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
BOLD ADVENTURE is a course speicalist and he looks a good bet to land this handicap; Blockley and Simonside appeal most of the others. Willie Musson's five-year-old has won four of his eight starts at this track and the manner of his most recent success marked him down as one to stay on the right side of. The yard are in fair form and he sets the benchmark for the rest. Blockley beat Calculating at Southwell last time and he has a decent strike-rate on the all-weather. His best form has been on the polytrack and he should be capable of getting competitive, especially as the yard are in good form. Simonside won a weak maiden here last time but he shapes as though this step-up in trip will improve him and he is not one to dismiss lightly. Gamesters Lady disappointed last time and this extra yardage is not sure to play to her strengths. With this in mind, we will stick with Bold Adventure to land the prize.
Simonside 15-2 (9-7) Prominent, ridden to lead and hung left inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (5) pol beating Dream In Blue (9-12) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Bold Adventure 7-4fav (9-5) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, led inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Mexican Pete (10-0) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Gamesters Lady 8-1 (9-0) Slowly away, soon led, headed over 5f out, soon ridden, weakened over 3f out, 4th of 5, 11l behind They All Laughed (9-5) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Helvetio 33-1 (11-0) Started slowly, always behind, 8th of 11, 41l behind Augustus John (11-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f am hcp (0-70) (5) pol.
Blockley (USA) 7-4fav (8-11) Held up in rear, headway on outer over 3f out, ran on to lead entering final furlong, edged left under pressure, driven out, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Calculating (8-9) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Apache Dawn 15-2 (9-1) Held up towards rear, hampered 6f out, headway and outside approaching 2f out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Mystic Art (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f sell stks (6) pol in Feb.
Chiff Chaff 8-1 (9-7) Led, headed after 1f, remained in touch until weakened 2f out, 7th of 12, 18l behind Merrymaker (9-7) at Catterick 2m hcap (6) gs in Sep.
Summer Lodge 8-1 (9-0) Soon chasing leader, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 7l behind Star Choice (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.