held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on to lead towards finish
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on inside to take 2nd close home
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon ridden, no extra when lost 2nd close home
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader and keen, ridden over 2f out, quickly weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders
Adobe put a disappointing effort at Nottingham behind him when winning at Bath earlier in the week but faces a difficult task under his 6lb penalty and preference is for Topton, who gets the verdict over Differential. The selection sprung a surprise when beating the strongly-fancied Contractor at Newbury last month and, although below par over this course and distance on his next start, showed that earlier form was no fluke when a length fourth off today's mark at Newmarket last week. A reproduction of that effort, on ground that suits, may suffice for Paul Howling's gelding. Differential comes here in better form than most following three wins in his last five starts but Brian Smart's gelding gave the impression at Carlisle last time that he is now in the grip of the handicapper. Warwick maiden winner Lifted Way and John Gosden's reappearing York Cliff, who has a long absence to overcome, are others to consider but we are happy to stick with the evergreen Topton.
