chase leaders to hal way
towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
slow into stride, always behind
soon well behind, kept on final furlong, n.ner
soon chasing leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led 1f, ridden to lead again 2f out, headed and weakened inside final furlong
led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
keen hold, held up, ridden and headway 2f out, one paced final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
A wide open handicap gets proceedings underway. Off Hire is a course and distance winner who has been running well of late. The gelding from the Craig Smith yard was a good second behind Tigress last time out and he should reverse placing on these revised terms. Statoyork is from a yard in top form, and the gelding goes well fresh. He is also well in on his best form but that has been on turf, and he has shown only a modicum of ability on the AW. Pulse would also have a chance on his best form but his best form has been over a longer trip of late. Carols Choice is also a course and distance winner, but she has become disappointing of late and was well beaten in a seller last time out. Tuscan Dream was a fair second behind Henry Tun at Southwell a couple of runs ago but disappointed here last time out. Vendome is from a very shrewd yard and although he has shown very little of late any market move would be significant.