close up, ridden 2f out, chased winner final furlong
pushed along in rear, always behind, tailed off
held up, pushed along 4f out, out paced final 2f
held up, effort over 2f out, one paced final furlong
made all, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and kept on, gaining final furlong
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and stayed on same pace final 2f
Only the six runners but with confirmed front-runners Hambleden, Capitano Corelli and Kentucky Blue in the line up there should be a strong pace on which will suit Collier Hill, who gets the vote to follow up his Old Newton Cup success. Alan Swinbank's gelding has a 3lb penalty to carry for his Haydock win but that should not be enough to stop the five-year-old from winning again especially as he has conditions to suit. It is possible that Hambleden, Capitano Corelli and Kentucky Blue could ruin their own chances by taking each other on for the lead so a bigger danger to the selection may come from Prairie Falcon. The Barry Hills-trained Nine-year-old has been a grand servant to connections over the years and, although today's trip is arguably shorter than ideal, the likely strong pace should suit. With the Hills stable back among the winners, he rates a bigger threat than Mark Johnston's Morson Boy, who faces a stiff task against older and more experienced rivals for the first time. Tactics will undoubtedly play a big part in the final outcome of this contest but, with a strong pace seemingly guaranteed, Collier Hill looks the safest option.
