chased leaders for 3f
held up, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out and stayed on towards finish
slowly into stride and always in rear
made all, ridden halfway, driven and kept on final furlong
stumbled at start and switched right, towards rear, headway on inner 2f out, no extra final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway and switched right inside final furlong, ran on, held
in touch, effort halfway, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders to halfway
held up behind leaders, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, some late headway, never reached challenging position
always behind
This is a real conundrum, as anyone of handful can emerge as the best of the bunch. However, as LAKE CHINI has the best of the draw, he is a sporting choice to land this open handicap. Babyshambles has very little to find to get competitive today, while Desperate Dan has found a new lease of life in recent times and is capable of being on the premises. Highland Warrior and Pacific Pride are others that would merit consideration if it could be guaranteed they could turn back the clock and run up to their previous best. Yet another that merits a look is Buy On The Red, who has steadily been running into form since he joined David Nichols and it may only be a matter of time before he is back in the winners' enclosure. However, Mick Easterby loves to send out a winner at his local courses and, as Lake Chini starts the season on a very attractive mark, he just gets the nod to make the most of his favourable stalls position.
He's A Humbug (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Always rear division, last of 12, 17l behind Elijah Pepper (8-1) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Mambo Spirit (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) In touch stands side, driven and stayed on final furlong, 5th of 16, 5l behind Mandurah (8-6) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Desperate Dan 5-2 (8-7) Dwelt, soon in touch, switched right to outside over 2f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Almaty Express (8-11) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Highland Warrior 50-1 (8-11) In rear far side, never troubled leaders, 14th of 16, 9l behind Mandurah (8-6) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Pacific Pride 11-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 12th of 15, 7l behind Kyzer Chief (8-4) at Ripon 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Buy On The Red 5-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Guest Connections (8-8) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Baybshambles (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Mid-division, effort 2f out, soon ridden and beaten, 9th of 13, 10l behind Liberty Ship (8-10) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Angle of Attack (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) With leader, driven over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 8l behind Liberty Ship (8-10) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Lake Chini (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, weakened final furlong, 11th of 13, 7l behind Dragon Flame (9-3) at Nottingham 5f hcap (6) gs in Oct.
Tangerine Trees 7-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Trimlestown (8-10) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
First Swallow 16-1 (8-6) Led far side group, headed over 1f out by that group, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 7l behind Lap of Honour (8-13) at Newcastle 6f hcap (5) hvy in Oct.
Royal Composer (IRE) 9-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Cornus (9-4) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fm in Apr.
Monte Cassino (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Dwelt, outpaced in rear, headway on inside approaching final furlong, ran on well, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Azygous (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
