with leader, ridden and weakened halfway
held up, ridden halfway, soon weakened and eased over 1f out
held up, ridden headway over 2f out, kept on one pace over 1f out
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, took 4th close home
towards rear, switched left to stand rail over 2f out, headway and hung right over 1f out, short of room inside final furlong, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden halfway, no impression
held up, not clear from over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, kept on one pace
close up, ridden and led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
with leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Yet another large turnout, with Bond Becks selected ahead of fellow norther raiders Good Girl, Strathclyde, and Tommy Smith. Bryan Smart has his team in good form and Bond Becks will be all the better for his recent return to action at Newmarket where he was prominent for a long time. The horse has speed to burn and will relish conditions. If his recent homework is any indication, he can finally land the big race that his talent deserves. Tim Easterby is double-handed with Good Girl and My American Beauty who both have leading claims, indeed the latter bounced back to form at Newmarket eight days ago in her preparation to go one better than last year here when she was eighth of a pound higher mark. Not so well treated is last year's runner-up Atlantic Viking who is over a stone higher in the weights, but Strathclyde will be on many people's short-list after his recent course and distance victory and comes from the stable that collected two years ago with Smokin Beau. Baltic King ran a blinder in the Balmoral Handicap here when second to Deportivo, and is only four pounds higher which is fair. Better over the minimum trip, he would have been more fancied had the rain not come. Tommy Smith has not won for ages but keeps threatening to and his supporters will be suicidal if he goes unbacked here and pops in, so a small each-way bet is advised, but in a tricky contest we return to Bond Becks as the answer.
