outpaced, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up, ridden halfway soon weakened
led, ridden clear 2f out, headed and no extra, near finish
chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on, never able to challenge
in touch over 4f
held up, pushed along halfway, headway to chase leader over 1f out, ran on to lead near finish
held up, effort halfway, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leader 4f
held up, outpaced over 2f out, kept on but never troubled leaders
slowly into stride, held up, headway halfway, never troubled leaders
dwelt, in rear, headway halfway, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders over 4f
chased leaders, ridden and hung left over 1f out, soon one pace
A tricky handicap to start proceedings and we like the look of Tom Forest, with Bolton Hall and Norcroft put forward as the main rivals. Kevin Ryan's eight-year-old is at the top of his game at present and is chasing a hat-trick of victories. His most recent success was over this trip at Newcastle where he easily accounted for Tanforan. He could be still one step ahead of the handicapper and can make it three in a row. Bolton Hall looked to be returning to his best when finishing an excellent third behind Walkonthewildside at Warwick last time and will be hard to keep out of the places here. Meanwhile Norcroft chased home the progressive Guildenstern at Lingfield last time and should go close for his in form yard. The pick of the remainder could be top weight Easy Feeling but in a wide open event Tom Forest just edges the decision.
Easy Feeling (IRE) 100-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, weakened over 2f out, last of 14, 26l behind Karen's Caper (8-9) at Newmarket 7f 3yo fll Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Verbier (USA) 2-1fav (8-11) With leader, until led over halfway, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Russian Consort (9-7) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp (C2) pol in Nov.
King of Love 4-1jt-fav (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up, headway halfway, ridden when carried right 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 11l behind Walkonthewildside (9-4) at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Tom Forest 5-2fav (8-12) Close up stands' side, led over 3f out, ridden out, won at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp (5) gd beating Tanforan (8-6) by 3l, 13 ran.
Norcroft 16-1 (8-7) Made most, ridden and hard pressed from 2f out, headed inside final furlong, well held near finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Guildenstern (8-11) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Bolton Hall (IRE) 7-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Walkonthewildside (9-4) at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Ronsard (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Broke well, soon mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 4th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Bolodenka (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Aberdeen Park 9-1 (8-9) Raced stands' side, close up, ridden to chase leader 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 17, 9l behind Desert Chief (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) gd.
