midfield, headway and effort approaching final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leader, led 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
in touch, effort over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
in touch, effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong
led, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
never better than mid-division
towards rear, headway 2f out, soon ridden and effort, kept on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden and one pace final 2f
towards rear, never dangerous
slowly into stride, always behind
towards rear, never dangerous
A very competitive 20-runner sprint in which Soaked can reverse Haydock form with King's Ballet. Seb Sanders replaces an inexperienced rider for this race and, clearly well handicapped at best, David Chapman's gelding can gain his 17th win. King's Ballet was well handicapped for that event so, running from the same mark, a case can be made for him too. Of the others, the booking of Kieren Fallon for Linda Perratt's Viewforth is interesting. Course and distance winner, Tick Tock, is blinkered for the first time but they would need to bring about improvement, while the only other c/d winner in the contest, College Maid (who took to first-time blinkers last time and is closely weighted with Aahgowangowan on that run, disregarding his rider's allowance), could go well. American Cousin, Laurel Dawn, Aahgowangowan and Northern Svengali have all won from higher marks so cases can be made for them too.