Soon struggling in rear
pushed along after 2f, headway 2f out to be nearest at finish
slowly into stride, behind til headway 2f out,
short head, led til ridden and headed inside final furlong, weakened close home
slowly into stride, behind and soon ridden along, some headway 2f out
mid-division, ridden weakened over 2f out
never in contention
prominent on outside, soon ridden along, weakened 3f out
tracked leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
prominent for 2 furlongs, soon weakened
Very few of these with recent experience of the all-weather can be given a particularly good chance so it may pay to stick with the likes of King's Ballet, Erracht and Strensall, who look well treated on turf form, with preference for the last mentioned. The selection has been much improved on turf this season during a campaign that has seen his handicap mark go up from 64 to 78. Although the six-year-old has seen his all-weather rating rise by 8lbs during that period, the son of Beveled still looks to be ahead of the handicapper and Strensall gets the vote. Eracht is also well treated if judged by recent turf form and has to be respected although Karl Burke's horses could be in better form, while King's Ballet has been running well on grass but has yet to prove his effectiveness on this surface. Catchthebatch had little chance in a decent claimer here last week and may do better in a weak handicap like this, while Laurel Dawn has claims on the form shown at Southwell two starts ago but he disappointed here last time. However, in a poor race Strensall looks worth a bet.
