held up in rear, headway 6th to track leaders, led 3 out, clear next, headed towards finish, no extra
held up in rear, blundered 5th, not fluent 8th, soon lost touch
prominent, pushed along approaching 3 out, rallied after 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, nearest finish
in touch, pushed along after 4 out, soon outpaced
held up towards rear, pushed along 4 out, headway and effort approaching 2 out, one pace run-in
led, headed 3 out, ridden and one pace from next
tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before last
Top weight Xaipete holds his form well at the age of 12 but is probably a shade high in the weights at present and preference is for Bob's Buster who is preferred to Midlem Melody. The last mentioned has to race off a 6lb higher mark than when landing a handicap at Carlisle when last seen in April and has to be respected but the eight-year-old normally needs a run or two to put her straight enough and she may be best watched for the moment. Given the form of Lucinda Russell's stable, Lauderdale has to be respected along with Savage, who showed improved form at Perth last month. The vote though goes to Bob's Buster. The eight-year-old could not have been more consistent last term and reappears today off what looks to be a fair mark. Provided that he is straight enough for his return Bob's Buster has solid claims of resuming winning ways on ground that suits ideally.
