in touch to 3rd, dropped rear halfway, soon lost touch
held up towards rear, headway 6th, close 3rd and every chance when fell last
held up towards rear, pushed along and some headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up mid-division, headway halfway, ridden to lead 2f out, stayed on strongly
led, headed approaching 3rd, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, headway halfway and in touch, ridden 6th, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 6th, effort 2 out, weakened before next
mid-division, headway and in touch halfway, ridden and weakened quickly after 2 out, behind when pulled up before last
tracked leaders, led approaching 3rd, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along 5th, ridden and weakened next
in touch, pushed along and dropped rear halfway, no danger after
held up towards rear, headway halfway, ridden to lead after last, headed 2f out, one pace under pressure
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, no extra run-in
mid-division, headway halfway, effort 2 out, fifth and one pace when hampered last
tracked leaders, led after 2 out, headed after last, one pace under pressure
Hopeful Chance is the choice here with the main danger likely to come from Major Drive, No Picnic and Needwood Spirit. The selection was a game winner last time at Newcastle when defeating Lord of the Loch, and with conditions once again to suit, he could take a good deal of beating with the step up in trip another plus. Major Drive represents the main danger as this gelding has shown a good level of consistency and he ran well last time behind Touch Closer at Sedgefield. That was his seasonal reappearance so he is sure to come on for the run and he will not be far away at the finish. No Picnic was just beaten behind Cordilla at Ayr last time but this gelding has been a model of consistency and it is difficult to see him being out of the frame. Needwood Spirit would be a live outsider if there is any further rain, while Yankee Jamie and Terdad are not entirely out of it either, but in an open race, we will take a chance on Hopeful Chance.
