held up, pushed along 3f out, ridden and outpaced 2f out, never on terms
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, led over 1f out, driven and stayed on well final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong
tracked leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch, effort and not clear run over 1f out, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, kept on same pace
raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace when not much room inside final furlong
dwelt and behind, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace
led, headed 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to chase winner inside final furlong
The Barry Hills-trained Calcutta would have a great chance on his best but has been well below that this term and preference is for Barking Mad, who gets the vote over Ionian Spring. The last mentioned has some decent handicap form to his name but would, along with Hugh Morrison's Adjawar, prefer further and a softer surface so may find one or two if these too quick for him. Dark Charm by comparison steps up in distance but is not certain to appreciate today's longer trip and is probably best watched. Similar comments apply to the David Nicholls-trained True Night and of more interest may be the Ian Williams-trained The Prince who has won similar contests at Yarmouth, Hamilton and Goodwood recently. Barking Mad has a nice racing weight though and Paul Cole's gelding need only reproduce his last time out effort at Windsor to win this. His front running style of racing should suit this track and Barking Mad has an obvious chance of following up.
