disputed lead, tracked leader after 3f to 3f out, under pressure over 2f out, stayed on same pace
held up, short of room and checked over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, disputed lead 3f out, every chance final furlong, no extra towards finish
behind, headway 2f out, soon ridden, kept on, not reach leaders
prominent, chased leaders 2f out, soon under pressure and weakened over 1f out
disputed lead, led 5f out, pressed 3f out, to inside final furlong, ascerted towards finish
held up, under pressure over 2f out, soon one pace
started slowly, pulled hard in rear, some late headway over 1f out, never dangerous
held up, ridden over 2f out, not paced to trouble leaders
behind, headway 2f out on outer, kept on, not paced to challenge
tracked leaders 4f, weakening and behind when hampered over 2 f out, never dangerous afterwards
prominent, chased along over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
This is a terrific handicap and top-weight Desert Lord deserves every respect, however Compton Drake looks on a very good mark and is taken to beat Binanti and Just Fly. Gerard Butler's gelding hasn't lived up to his illustrious pedigree but is not a bad performer in this type of company. He did manage to win a classified event here in September and put in another good display behind Red Spell in a handicap last time. Off today's weight of 8st 13lbs he must hold every chance. Binanti is improving with every race and landed a decent enough contest at Wolverhampton last time, he looks certain to go close once again. Just Fly finished behind Binanti last time but should get a lot closer today on three pounds better terms. Desert Lord makes a quick return to the track following a victory on Saturday and is another to consider in a very open event, but Compton Drake looks the pick of the weights and gets the verdict