held up in touch, ridden and left 2nd 13th, mistake next, weakening when jumped right 3 out
held up, tracking leaders, lost place 9th, ridden next, soon weakened and pulled up before 5 out
in rear and not jump well, lost touch from 8th, pulled up before 10th
towards rear, ridden 5th and behind, hard ridden from 13th, stayed on from 4 out to chase clear winner from 2 out
tracked leaders, led 12th, headed when fell 13th
in rear, ridden 11th, steady headway until kept on final 3
tracked leader, led 8th, headed and reminders 9th, ridden 11th, weakened 12th, mistake 14th and well beaten when pulled up before 2 out
led, headed 8th, led again 9th, headed 12th, led again 13th, ridden and soon clear 4 out, mistake last, driven out
towards rear, mistake 4th, well behind from 8th, pulled up before 11th
in touch until ridden and weakened 12th
An awful race where betting interest is likely to be minimal and a very tentative selection is Milton Bradley's Barton Bandit, while I've no Say should be in with a decent chance. True, Barton Bandit has shown little in his last few starts under rules, being pulled up more times than he'd care to remember, but he had gone well enough without winning on decent ground last spring to suggest that he has some ability. Since then he has won a point to point, to prove his well being, and his yard is in cracking form, which just tips the balance in his favour here. Barton Bandit receives a very useful 26lbs from top weight I've No Say, who has been in better form of late, coming home in second in handicap company at Market Rasen last time. However, like most of these, he does look a one pacer and top weight is not going to help him speed things up here. Of the remainder, only April Spirit can seriously merit any consideration. Sue Smith's gelding has won over course and distance during last summer and is still 7lb higher than that effort. However, that would not be enough to stop him getting into the frame here after a decent break from the track. If Sue Smith has him fit then he may even be good enough to trouble the selection, but he has tended to need his first run and so Barton Bandit is preferred.
