made all, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leading pair, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
always towards rear, ridden and weakened 3f out
in touch, ridden to chase winner briefly over 1f out, hung right and weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
in rear, ridden and some headway approaching final furlong, never dangerous
chased winner until ridden and weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, pushed along 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
slowly into stride, always in rear, ridden and weakened 3f out
In a contest where you could find reasons to oppose all the runners, a tentative vote is therefore given to Big Bradford over String Serenade and Arabian Moon. Big Bradford has the highest BHB rating here - sometimes counts for little in these claimers - and on the plus side does take a massive drop in class. On the downside, the horse has just a solitary success in the win column and there is a question mark over his ability to stay this 10 furlong trip - it's two furlongs further then he has tried before. However, Willie Muir's gelding ran respectively in a 0-75 handicap at Chepstow and has won on firm ground and he is unlikely to have many easier opportunities to gain another victory. String Serenade won a desperate seller at 25-1 over course and distance but may have been flattered as the leaders went off at a frenetic pace. She has at least won a race. Arabian Moon , despite his advancing years, also has to be considered but recent efforts, including a seller over course and distance, have been particularly disappointing. Big Bradford is the percentage call but that percentage does not reach double figure!!
Fortune Point (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Prominent, led halfway, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 7l behind Diction (9-5) at Southwell 1m clm (6) fbs in Mar.
Gran Clicquot 66-1 (8-6) In rear, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 14l behind Ndola (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol in May.
Big Bradford 16-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden 3f out and weakened, 8th of 9, 7l behind Blue Trojan (9-13) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Arabian Moon (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 10l behind Ballybeg (8-9) at Windsor 1m 4f clm (5) gf.
String Serenade (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Held up, headway on outside 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, led 1f out, soon clear, won at Brighton 1m 2f sll (6) frm beating Prince Valentine (9-4) by 4l, 8 ran.
Edge Fund 11-1 (8-13) Led and soon clear with one other, headed halfway, stayed chasing leader until weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 16l behind String Serenade (8-13) at Brighton 1m 2f sll (6) frm.
Love's Design (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, chased winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Prince Valentine (9-5) at Brighton 1m sll (6) frm.
Miss Monica (IRE) 11-2 (8-2) Held up in rear, ridden and headway 3f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Seattle Robber (9-2) at Brighton 1m 2f app hcp (6) frm.
