slightly hampered start, towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened 2f out
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, challenged and every chance inside final furlong, kept on, held close home
held up in touch, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, lost place 4f out
held up towards rear, weakened well over 1f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway when not much room and switched left over 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, held on close home
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden 1f out, no impression
in touch on outer, ridden over 1f out weakened inside final furlong
in touch, weakened entering final furlong
went left start, tracked leader, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
led, headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened
slowly into stride, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, never dangerous
The Rapid Lad Handicap looks to be a very open and competitive affair but the finish should be fought by BROCKFIELD, Green Passion and Zaplamation with the vote going to the first named. Mel Brittain's son of Falbrav was turned out quickly to win eight days ago and is still certainly ahead of the handicapper. He must go close from a potentially lenient mark. The Mark Johnston horse must be respected as he could be thrown in at these weights. He wasn't totally void of ability last year and an extra year on his back should see him in better light. If the money comes he would be very interesting on a track where Johnston is the second top trainer. Zaplimation has always been very consistent in low grade handicaps but his recent win may be a sign that he has improved some what. He is not without his chance but he may be too short in an open race so we'll return to Brockfield.
Toujours Souriante 8-1 (7-9) In touch, lost place well over 2f out, 9th of 12, 11l behind Oasis Knight (8-7) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Green Passion (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 17l behind Follow The Flag (9-4) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct.
Blue Spinnaker (IRE) 7-2 (8-9) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, soon edged left, headway over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, edged left, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Brockfield (8-8) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Brockfield 9-1 (8-8) Took keen hold early, soon tracking leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on, won at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) sft beating Blue Spinnaker (8-9) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
All Guns Firing (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Pushed along to soon lead, headed 5f out, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 16l behind Veloso (9-6) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Mar.
Mister Fizzbomb (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Chased clear leader until over 4f out, weakened over 3f out soon behind, last of 5, well behind Bosamcliff (9-1) at Southwell 1m 3f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Zaplamation (IRE) 5-2fav (9-4) Mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gs beating Laureldeans Best (9-2) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Gulf Coast 8-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 14l behind Giant Love (8-11) at Catterick 1m 4f hcap (5) gd in Oct '08.
Boa 12-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 11l behind Shut The Bar (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Active Asset (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final 2f, soon weakened, last of 7, 20l behind Kames Park (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Bollin Freddie 28-1 (7-10) Made virtually all, ridden along over 2f out, driven and edged left entering final furlong, kept on, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) fm in Jun beating Joe Jo Star (8-10) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Coole Dodger (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Behind, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never in contention, 8th of 15, 11l behind Academy Blues (9-4) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
King's Counsel (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 12l behind Red Expresso (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f app hcp (6) pol in Sep.
Fitzwarren 16-1 (8-6) Led, strongly challenged over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Marjury Daw (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Mar.
Waahej 14-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 17, 17l behind Blue Spinnaker (10-2) at Doncaster 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gs in Mar.
