held up in touch, went 2nd over 4f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, kept on under pressure
in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside last, no extra towards finish
tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on towards finish
held up, chased leaders over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, weakened and headed over 4f out, tailed off
tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up, not much room 4f out, headway and switched right over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
Just the seven runners for this staying handicap and of them we like FOLLOW THE DREAM who can land this at the chief expense of Zuwaar and Daaweitza. Karen George's mare races from a mark of 57 here having won a turf handicap in convincing style off 50 on her penultimate start back in August. A month later the improving six-year-old was set far too much to do when taking second over course and distance and a 2lb rise for that effort looks perfectly reasonable and in the hope that a break since has freshened up Darryll Holland's mount we fancy her chances here, provided there is a reasonable pace for this strong stayer to chase which, with Command Marshall and Zuwaar in the line-up, looks entirely possible. Of that pair Zuwaar rates the main danger, Ian Williams' gelding having performed well off this mark on Saturday evening. Eddie Ahern's mount goes well here and landed a couple of course and distance handicaps last winter off slightly lower marks and so may have been unsuited by stepping back to 1m6f last time when slightly outpaced in the closing stages. Back over further and as a six-year-old who is in form and can race handily this horse merits serious respect if none the worse for his last-time-out exertions. Brian Ellison's Daaweitza completes the shortlist having been beaten only a head off 83 in the summer and racing off 72 here. However, the gelding is yet to race beyond a mile and a half and indeed that close second came over just a mile so today¿s trip is a major concern. However, should this turn tactical then Dane O'Neill's mount will surely have the pace to go close in the event of a sprint finish and it will be interesting to see how the race pans out. Abstract Folly has the assistance of Seb Sanders here and must be respected despite having been beaten comprehensively of late. Returned to the all weather where the gelding remains unexposed this confirmed stayer has a chance of a lowly mark of 59 as does Command Marshall who may take these along and steal a soft lead and has been running well over hurdles of late. In the hope that this doesn't turn into a tactical affair we'll take Follow The Dream to give the others nightmares.
Bentley Brook (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) In touch, improved 5f out, chased leader over 3f out until over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 8l behind Clear Reef (9-6) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Daaweitza 9-1 (9-0) Switched left soon after start, held up well in rear, kept on under strong pressure from over 1f out, never near leaders, 5th of 10, 11l behind Chookie Hamilton (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Zuwaar 2-1fav (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside funal furlong to dead heat for 3rd on line, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Key Regard (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f clm stks (6) pol.
Command Marshal (FR) 33-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out, 10th of 11, well behind Dzesmin (9-7) at Chester 1m 4f hcap (4) sft in Aug '08.
Dan Buoy (FR) 8-1 (9-4) Pulled hard, chased leader after 2f, ridden and weakened after 2f out, last of 7, 21l behind Market Forces (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcap (4) gd in Jul '07.
Abstract Folly (IRE) 11-1 (9-6) Led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 32l behind No Rules (9-6) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Follow The Dream 4-1 (9-12) Dwelt, soon switched left, held up and behind, headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, never near enough to trouble winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Snowberry Hill (9-6) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
