chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, hit next, weakened 2 out
led, headed 3 out, stayed on well under pressure to lead again last, ridden and kept on flat
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, ridden next, rallied under pressure approaching 2 out, kept on one pace flat
in touch, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra
held up in rear, mistake 4 out, behind when blundered last
mid-division, badly hampered 4th, pulled up before next
chased leaders, driven 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace 2 out
held up mid-division when fell 4th
held up, ridden and outpaced 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 4 out, soon ridden, weakened from 2 out
tracked leaders, headway 4 out, outpaced next, hung left and no impression from 2 out
held up towards rear, outpaced 3 out, no chance when mistake next
held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat
towards rear, steady after 4 out, ridden and effort approaching 2 out, weakened flat
raced keenly, soon tracked leader, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
raced keenly, held up in rear hit 4 out, never dangerous
Uptown Lad is a tentative choice in the opening race on the card, with Spring Pursuit, Ghost Rider and Beat The Heat just three dangerous rivals. Pinning down the winner here is no easy task, but Uptown Lad gets the vote after returning to form at Kelso 16 days ago. He ploughed through the heavy ground that day, and although drying conditions would be against him, Bob Johnson's gelding will be galloping on better than most in the straight. Ghost Rider has his first outing in handicap company and is not badly treated judged on his efforts behind decent opposition so far. Spring Pursuit did not impress with his jumping when scoring at Warwick but has been tried over further since, and drops back to a more suitable trip here. He may be worth considering for a place though along with Beat The Heat who bids to get the losses back after his Boxing Day defeat at Ayr. Given a break since, he lines up fresh but has it to do off his current mark. My Last Bean and Salhood have their fair share of weight but have winning form and are others to add to the equation, but in a tricky start to proceedings, we return to Uptown Lad as our idea of the winner.
