tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on same pace
raced wide close up, ridden to chase leader 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, headway approaching 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
led, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, kept on
towards rear, ridden 4f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, went fourth inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
always in rear
We finish with division two of the one mile handicap and as THE GRAIG is one of only a few runners that doesn't have to prove stamina we'll side with him ahead of Mackintosh and Join Up who have been running well in defeat. As well as the stamina point we were also encouraged by the selections apparent return to form when only narrowly finding the one too good in a similar event last time. For this level the lines coming out of the contest look pretty strong so if he is back to near his best he should go well again off a mark just a pound heavier. Mackintosh also just failed to score when given a comparable assignment last time, however the handicapper hasn't done him any favours putting his mark up a couple of pounds and that extra might just make the difference with him yet to score over this trip. Join Up twice finished second best here over this test in December and has started this year in a similar vain. He still is feasibly weighted but might need a reprieve from the assessor before getting up again. Head First can go on the shortlist with winning from over this trip but the if The Graig has turned a corner he may prove had to beat.
Great Bounder (CAN) 2-1fav (9-0) Dwelt, held up in rear, headway over 3f out, stayed on well final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Bajan Pride (8-13) at Southwell 1m app hcp (0-55) (6) fbs.
The Graig 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway and edged right over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Chia (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Head First 9-2fav (9-0) Disputed lead 1f, prominent, ridden 2f out, edged right well over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 3l behind Grey Command (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f Handicap (0-58) (4yo+) (6) pol.
Join Up 6-1 (8-11) Held up, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Very Well Red (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Admirals Way 33-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 21l behind Bishopbriggs (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Sofonisba 20-1 (7-10) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, 12th of 13, 38l behind Crystal Feather (8-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks 0-55 (6) pol in May.
Fitzwarren 13-2 (8-10) Slowly into stride, soon recovered to track leader, led halfway, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 7l behind Lyrical Intent (8-8) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-52 (6) pol.
Naledi 33-1 (9-12) Ridden 2f out, always behind, 10th of 11, 12l behind Tanforan (11-0) at Warwick 1m am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gf in Jun.
Bet Noir (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Held up, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, 7th of 10, 5l behind Winning Show (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Mays Louise 150-1 (9-8) Towards rear, never a factor, last of 7, 25l behind Sanctuary (9-0) at Haydock 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Mackintosh (IRE) 9-2 (8-3) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, edged left, stayed on well, 2nd of 11, hd behind Shake On It (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
