raced keen, made all, soon clear, mistake 3rd, ridden 2 out, stayed on
behind, lost touch halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, pushed along 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
held up in rear, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no impression
mid-division, pushed along 5th, soon ridden and weakened
held up in mid-division, headway 4th to track leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked winner to 2 out, no extra
tracked leaders, weakened 5th
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, pushed along 5th, soon ridden and no impression
held up in touch, pushed along and lost place 5th, soon ridden and weakened
We'll take a chance on Thoutmosis here ahead of Fly Kicker, Mr Midaz and Stormy Beech. The Len Lungo-trained selection looked good when winning a novice event at Kelso last season and two runs this time around should have him spot on for this race. Also, as he's only a four-year-old, he should have more to come. Turning to the others, Calatagan looks to have it to do carrying topweight and coming here off a break. Fly Kicker comes here seeking a hat-trick but has been raised six pounds for the most-recent of these. That said, he should still run a good race. Ashton Vale won at Wincanton last year when with Paul Nicholls but, along with Pornic, Wally Wonder and Touch Closer, does not appear obviously well handicapped. Mr Midaz won over today's course and distance in March from a mark of 81. He's now rated 90 but has each-way claims. Pompeii is nine pounds better off here for the 15 lengths he finished behind Fly Kicker at Wetherby in November, which seems a lot to turn around, while dual course and distance winner Stormy Beech - the latest from a mark of 86 on soft in May - is now rated a further eight pounds higher than for that success, so he's going to have to find more again. Overall, then, the winning cap seems to fit Thoutmosis.
