tracked leader, led after 1st, headed approaching 5th, pushed along next, soon lost place
with leader, led 5th, headed next, ridden to lead approaching last, headed flat, rallied all out to lead post
in rear, headway approaching 5th, pushed long next, soon weakened
held up and keen, took closer order 2nd, led 6th, hit next, ridden and headed approaching last, led again flat kept on caught post
led to 1st, tracked leaders, led again approaching 5th, soon headed, in 3rd and weakening when blundered 2 out
in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened next
held up towards rear, hit 3rd, weakened from 6th, hit next
A very tricky race to solve first up here, with hardly anything in form and we will take a chance on Westernmost to beat Sovereign State and Apadi. The selection handles faster ground well enough and is 4lb lower than when winning over course and distance almost two years ago, so clearly has a chance. He didn't appear to stay last time out at Perth and will be much more at home over this trip, and with 10lb being taken off his back by his claimer, he might just have the edge. Sovereign State also makes some appeal as a course and distance winner, with Cartmel being such a specialist track. A half length winner here from Al Mabrook last August gives him a squeak, though he is 6lb higher now and has not been in form, so it will be a slight surprise if he is up to winning. Apadi is a confirmed fast ground lover from a yard that continues in form and clearly merits respect. However, he too is 5lb higher than that most recent win, which came at Market Rasen last June and he may just be anchored by that. Magenta Rising is a one pacer but has some sort of place claim if the others are below par, but nothing else makes appeal and the selection here is Westernmost.
