led 2nd, ridden when headed approaching 9th, soon weakened
held up rear, ridden and well behind 4 out, mistake 3 out, kept on
held up, mistake 3rd, headway 8th, going well 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last
held up mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, chased winner 2 out, narrow lead approaching last, headed soon after, no extra
tracked leader, not fluent 5th and 6th, ridden 8th, weakened 3 out
prominent, came stands side approaching 4th, tracked leader 8th, led 9th, ridden 3 out, headed briefly approaching last, kept on well flat, all out
led first, headed next, stayed prominent until ridden, mistake and lost touch 8th
Not a bad little contest where Pure Fun, Hawthorn Prince, Reasonable Reserve and Dam The Breeze are the ones to concentrate on, with the vote going to the latter. Evan Williams' charge gets in here off bottom weight after a couple of recent wins have boosted his confidence. The latest of those came off a mark of 95 at Uttoxeter, when he beat Johnston's Art by six lengths. A 3lb rise does not look harsh by any means and with conditions to suit here, he can go in again. Pure Fun represents Philip Hobbs and has been in cracking form on this faster ground in staying company this summer. However, his most recent success has seen him go up 6lb more. That seems to anchor him last time and looks sure to do the same here, though a place is a possibility. Hawthorn Prince has also progressed this summer, winning two off the reel at Fakenham in May, before looking exposed next time. He can go well enough, but the others will now have to underperform for him to win. Meanwhile Reasonable Reserve is full of confidence at the moment after a couple of decisive wins just lately, both over course and distance. Clearly a fan of the track, he will surely put his best hoof forward again, but a 19lb rise for those successes will make this very tough now and so Dam The Breeze is just preferred.
