behind, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, hung left over 1f out, kept on
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
close up, led 3f out, ridden and soon headed, kept on one pace
prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
with leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, clear final furlong, eased towards finish
prominent, pushed along 6f out, soon ridden, no danger soon after
dwelt, behind, headway halfway, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch until ridden and weakened over 4f out
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, kept on one pace final 2f
mid-division, ridden and headway over 4f out, no impression approaching final furlong
mid-division, ridden and behind 5f out
behind, ridden 4f out, never on terms
mid-division, ridden and behind final 4f
Some familiar faces along with a handful of newcomers to the all weather scene make this an interesting heat for a respectable prize at this time of year. Moyne Pleasure has gone well here in the past and this may be the first of many appearances on an artificial surface from him this winter. However, he faces a stiff task giving weight away all round today and, despite Luke Fletcher taking a handy 7lb off his back, he may just need to drop a few pounds before resuming winning ways. Previous course and distance winner Daunted is another who has paid the price for consistency and is starting to creep back up the weights. That said, he is in good form and his experience of the surface is an obvious plus for his claims. The 5lb higher mark does limit his chance to an each way selection though. Star Seventeen and Ringside Jack also have place claims on the pick of their form and are shortlist material at least. However, both would have a little to find with Affray if he were to reproduce something like his effort when finishing third in the Cumberland Plate behind Hugs Dancer, and Mark Johnston's charge just gets the TEAMtalk vote. Traditionally horses having their first outing here tend to be a little overpriced, but the Middleham-based trainer has a good record with his runners at the course and Affray fits the profile of other raiders who have lifted lesser prize-money on their all weather debuts.
