held up in mid-division, headway and effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, no impression final 2f
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, headway 3f out, soon ridden, led entering final furlong, stayed on strongly
mid-division, brief effort 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
midfield, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
led, ridden 3f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on
in touch, ridden and effort over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway over 3f out, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, effort 3f out, weakened over 1f out
midfield, pushed along over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f
tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out
The Persuader, Nowell House, Love That Benny and Clarinch Claymore are all worthy of consideration for this showcase handicap, but the vote goes to Collier Hill. The selection goes well in big fields, is well drawn in stall 5, and will appreciate the easing ground. Any further rain would fuel our confidence but this still looks an outstanding opportunity for him to get back to winning ways. The Persuader is the obvious danger and he is currently in a rich vein of form which will see him go close again. He was an impressive winner of a similar event at Haydock last time, is well boxed and will handle the ground so has to be respected. Clarinch Claymore was well beaten by The Persuader on that day and is unlikely to reverse the placings from a high draw. However, he is a course and distance winner and will appreciate the easing ground, but although he is one to follow at this time of year, he is unlikely to take his turn here. Nowell House is another that will appreciate the easing ground but he does not win too often so the percentage call would be to oppose him here. Love That Benny is running well at present and has to be considered, but he may not appreciate the step up in trip because all his best form has been over shorter. This is not an easy race to fathom and many are given chances on their best form, but Collier Hill has plenty going for him here and gets the vote.
