tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, kept on well and headed post
towards rear, never dangerous
held up, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead post
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, soon beaten, eased inside final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, one paced
chased leaders to halfway, soon outpaced
chased leaders to halfway, soon beaten
prominent, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and out paced final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and one paced final furlong
led briefly, remained in touch, ridden and stayed on same pace final furlong
towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
Sir Sandrovitch failed to handle the testing conditions at Beverley last time and the ground may again be softer than ideal for Richard Fahey's gelding so we prefer to side with Henry Hall, who gets the vote over another in-form sprinter Corridor Creeper. The last mentioned hails from the stable of Milton Bradley that has consistently been churning out winners in similar company of late. However, he is gradually going up in the weights and may again have to settle for minor honours along with stable companion Fly More. Tommy Smith finished ahead of Sir Sandrovitch in Regal Song's race at Beverley last week on unfavourably soft ground and should be more at home under today's conditions but would, along with another of the vanquished there Beyond The Clouds, prefer a faster surface. Talbot Avenue has slipped to an attractive mark and has to be respected especially with Jamie Spencer up, while the David Nicholls-trained pair of Hawk and Blackheath are not discounted lightly. However, Henry Hall has plenty in his favour and looks the safest bet. Nigel Tinkler's seven-year-old comes into the race in good form following a fine second to Absent Friends at Doncaster recently, is well handicapped on his best, goes well here and appears well berthed in stall four.