held up in rear, headway approaching 5 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, kept on
prominent, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced next, kept on from last
held up towards rear, hit 12th, reminders and weakened after 13th, pulled up before 5 out when tailed off
tracked leaders, hampered and left in lead 4 out, ridden next, headed 2 out, in 2nd and beat when blundered and unseated rider last
in touch, hit 16th, weakened from 4 out
disputed lead, led and jumped right 13th, hit 16th, fell 4 out
led, disputed lead, headed approaching 13th, lost place approaching 15th, behind when hampered 4 out
This will be a grinding test of stamina, which is expected to suit Auburn Spirit, who takes his racing well and gets the nomination in this company. He arrives here after some solid efforts of late. Mac's Supreme is respected on only his second start since May last year, but has to be a prime candidate for the bounce; in spite of his yard's impressive run of form. Therefore a bigger threat may come from Behavingbadly, who has also been in good form this term; having won in good style at Kelso last time. The step up in trip is not certain to bring the best out of him though, and he is one to tread carefully with at this marathon trip. Timmy Murphy is an obvious plus beside the name of Tarbolton Moss, who is expected to have no trouble with the distance this afternoon. However, the mare has a little to find on the balance of recent form and she may have to settle for a minor role. Dad's Lad is another to throw into the mix for different reasons, as he is unexposed at the trip. Again the market will tell us more about his chance. Therefore, in the absence of a reliable market guide, we turn to the reliable yardstick represented by Auburn Spirit, who, as a dour stayer with a great heart for a battle, has the fewest questions to answer this afternoon.
