prominent, ridden and headway after 8th, every chance 2 out, not quicken flat
led to 2nd, left in lead 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, headway 4th, ridden 8th, weakened 2 out
mid-division, ridden 7th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, chased leaders 8th, ridden and stayed on one pace from 3 out
held up last, ridden 7th, challenged and led 2 out, driven out
held up in mid-division, headway 4th, mistake 8th, ridden and weakened 2 out
chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, lost place 4th, soon weakened, pulled up before 8th
held up towards rear, pulled hard and led on outside 2nd, ran out and unseated rider 3rd
A low-grade, but nonetheless interesting contest to end the day, with several in-form animals taking part including Donceur Des Songes, Southerndown and Excellent Vibes, who will have the valuable assistance of Tom Greenaway, and gets the vote. Nigel Twiston-Davis' gelding gained reward for a couple of near misses when scoring at Worcester earlier this month, when partnered by today's pilot. He should again take care of Haikal on these revised terms, and as knowing your partner is a big advantage in these types of races, Excellent Vibes is taken to follow up. Donceur Des Songes has struggled in handicap company and looks set to do so again, while Moody Blues didn't improve for the fitting of a visor last time and looks to have plenty to prove. Southerndown has been a grand servant to Richard Lee, and despite his advancing years, should be involved at the business end. Les Jefford is one of the more experience Amateurs around, but even he will have a job to coax the best out of Tarski, who hasn't beaten a horse home in two outings since winning at Worcester back in July. Rachel Green gets the best out of Mutadarra and is respected, even though this trip may be too far for him, but Excellent Vibes has recent solid form and gets the vote in an open contest.
