in touch, headway to lead 3 out, ridden and hit last, edged left under pressure flat, held on
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
held up towards rear, steady headway 5th, chased leaders 3 out, ridden to go 2nd approaching last, kept on, held towards finish
made most, mistake 3rd, headed after 4 out, soon lost place
raced keenly, disputed lead, ridden and lost place after 4 out, soon weakened
always towards rear
chased leaders to 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on under pressure from last
with leaders, led after 4 out, headed next, soon ridden and one pace
always behind, tailed off from 3 out
chased leaders, ridden 4 out, soon lost place, weakening when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
behind, headway 5th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened after next
The Nicky Richards-trained Rising Generation has been in good form of late and while another rise in the weights may not help his cause a bigger concern is the softer surface so preference is for Shares, who gets the vote over Totally Scottish. The last mentioned represents the in-form stable of Keith Reveley and has to be respected on his reappearance, particularly as the eight-year-old comes here fit from a recent return on the level. General holds similar claims and it is interesting that Tony McCoy has been booked for the top weight. Welsh Dream showed improved form in a Hexham seller last time and will have his supporters but this looks tougher and a bigger threat may come from Flake. Sue Smith's gelding should strip fitter for a couple of recent spins and hails from a stable in good form at present. Ton-Chee and Oliverjohn are others worthy of a mention but the vote goes to Shares. Peter Montieth's gelding is less exposed than most of these and looks to have been let in lightly for his debut in a handicap. The son of Turtle Island should have no problems with the ground and comes here fit from the flat.
