with leader, pushed along and lost place 6th, soon outpaced
held up towards rear, headway 6th, effort approaching 2 out, soon one pace
held up in touch, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened
held up towards rear, headway 6th, led approaching 2 out, comfortably
in touch, pushed along 3 out, soon outpaced
tracked leaders, close up 6th, effort approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace
The selection here is Sara Monica, with her biggest dangers seen as Northern Minster and Gospel Song. The selection is relatively lightly raced but came good at Hexham two runs ago. Ok, she was beaten off her revised mark last time, but the effort was good enough to see her raised another five pounds. Given that the opposition is pretty exposed, she stays and has proven she can handle a stiff track, and the fact that her rider takes off a good five pounds, she could score again today. Course and distance winners Rosalyons, whose form has tailed off since winning twice at Kelso last October, and Needwood Spirit, who is well handicapped on form of four years ago, can both be given a squeak, but while Political Cruise is edging back towards a winning mark, that win did come in a seller. Northern Minster improved last time after a breathing operation, and while he will have his supporters today, he has been raised 10 pounds for that win. Gospel Song is just four pounds above a winning mark, has won over today's trip and a useful amateur takes seven pounds off his back. Winter Garden has failed to win since arriving from Ireland a few years back, although he has been placed from today's mark in chases, in which he has been competing of late. All of this brings us back to Sara Monica, who gets the vote.
