held up in touch, progress to chase leaders over 3f out, hung left under pressure over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, driven to challenge well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
with leader, led over 3f out, pushed clear entering final furlong, easily
always behind
led until over 3f out, lost place over 2f out
tracked leaders, every chance well over 2f out, stayed on well closing stages, no chance with winner
settled in mid-division but in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon no impression
held up on outside, weakened over 3f out, eased over 2f out, virtually pulled up
Opposition had three runs over a mile last year and makes his handicap debut at a realistic level. He's not certain to stay this longer trip on breeding but should be thereabouts if doing so. Dusky Raider is similarly unexposed and Free Bounty showed promise last season and hails from a yard that's in good form at present. PURPLE RAVEN should have benefited from her third over 1m2f at Nottingham. She should have no problem with this extra quarter-mile so gets the nod.
Press Gang 12-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 10 1/4l behind Wapping (9-5) at Bath 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Oct.
Purple Raven 4-1jfav (9-6) Towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 4 1/4l behind Walsingham Grange (9-6) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Apr.
Opposition 7-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, never on terms, 9th of 15, 9 1/2l behind Algometer (9-5) at Newbury 1m mdn stks (4) gs in Oct.
Livella Fella (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 18, 9 3/4l behind Lady Mcguffy (8-6) at Redcar 7f stks (6) sft in Oct.
Free Bounty 10-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out until over 1f out, soon outpaced by leading pair, 3rd of 7, 6 3/4l behind Soldier In Action (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Regal Monarch 10-1 (9-5) In touch, pushed along halfway, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 11, 16 1/4l behind Every Chance (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (6) pol in Dec.
Dusky Raider (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Towards rear, outpaced 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 13 1/2l behind Lovell (9-5) at Thirsk 7f mdn stks (4) gs in Sep.
Whitecliff Park (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Went right start, in touch, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind Recognition (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
