always towards rear
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, no impression
slowly away, held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, soon headed, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out
close up, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, weakened towards finish
held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, squeezed between rivals inside final furlong, kept on to lead towards finish
led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed towards finish
in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
Dabbers Ridge won this a year ago and proved a fine advertisement for the skills of local handler Ian McInnes, who won four races with him. A recent run at Wolverhampton will have put him straight and he looks certain to go well if allowed to take part on ground firmer than he likes but a strict interpretation of form shows OPUS MAXIMUS in the best light. Mark Johnston's won a Musselburgh seller in October but landed a Chester handicap from a mark of 85 in June and that's better than any of these could manage. Rowan Lodge and Bajan Pride were 1-2 in this two years ago and enjoy the stiff uphill climb though they were both racing from a mark of 61 and have plenty to find.
Avontuur (FR) 28-1 (8-6) Always in rear, 11th of 12, 12l behind Sir Nod (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Bajan Pride 7-2 (8-11) Tracked leader, led narrowly over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 19l behind General Tufto (9-3) at Southwell 1m sell stks (6) fbs in Feb.
Bold Indian (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear and keen, weakened over 3f out, 11th of 12, well behind Without Equal (9-0) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Oct.
Dabbers Ridge (IRE) 18-1 (9-3) In rear, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind John Potts (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Master Of Dance (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 14, 8l behind Al Aqabah (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Led, ridden over 1f out, no extra when headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Erinjay (9-3) at Kempton 1m clm stks (6) std in Jan.
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 7-2fav (9-4) Held up towards rear and keen, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out, last of 8, 42l behind Master Of Dance (9-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-70 (5) hvy in Sep.
Tiger Hawk (USA) 28-1 (8-1) Outpaced, 9th of 10, 20l behind Count Bertoni (8-10) at Southwell 1m Classified Claiming Stakes (0-65) (4yo+) (6) fbs in Mar.
White Deer (USA) 9-2 (9-2) Held up towards rear, effort over 1f out, no impression and one pace, 7th of 11, 8l behind John Potts (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Kheskianto (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) In rear, never near leaders, 8th of 11, 8l behind Bold Bomber (8-12) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Feb.
Love In The West (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 4th of 5, 20l behind Visions Of Johanna (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 4yo clm stks 0-70 (6) pol in Feb.
