held up, jumped slowly 4th, behind from 12th, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, mistake 5th, fell 7th
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd 11th, led 13th, ridden out
led, jumped right 12th and again next, headed and kept on one pace
mid-division, lost place 10th, behind and pulled up before 13th
mid-division, ridden 13th, behind from 4 out
The booking of Graham Lee aboard Little Brown Bear looks set to assure victory over the in-form combination of Dick McCarthy and Far Dawn. Richard Ford's charge is professionally ridden for the first time in two years and looks to be the percentage call in a fair handicap for the time of year. Dick McCarthy is certainly game and in-form but he invariably seems to find one too good these days. Far Dawn was always going to struggle against Iverain at Chepstow. There was a lot to like about his win at Southwell and providing that the rain stays away, there is every chance he could run his race here. Stanmore has course and distance form although any enthusiasm for him is blunted by the burden of top-weight.
