held up in mid-division, headway 11th, ridden 4 out and outpaced, stayed on from 3 out, ran on from last, led close home
prominent, reminders 1st, ridden 4th, lost touch 6th, weakened approaching 10th, tailed off
held up in touch, lost touch and reminders 8th, tailed off 10th, pulled up before 4 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led to 7th, led 9th, headed approaching 10th, led 12th, headed 4 out, no extra from 2 out
chased leader, pecked 8th, ridden and every chance approaching 4 out, weakened soon after
held up towards rear, headway 4th, ridden 11th and mistake, weakened 12th
prominent, headway approaching 10th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon led, hard ridden last, headed close home, no extra
not jumped well, held up in touch, tracked leaders 6th, led 8th, headed 9th, led approaching 10th, headed 12th, blundered 13th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before last
This open looking contest could go to Restless Wind, while Mister One and Burwood Breeze both have claims above other, more exposed sorts. The selection comes from the yard of Toby Balding, who is in decent form at present, and the gelding comes into the race fresh from an eight month absence. His last outing was a fast ground win over this trip at Huntingdon and a 6lb rise for that 12 length success gives him every chance of following. As a former winner with cut, the softer ground should not inconvenience him, and the one nagging doubt is that he has tended to need a run in the past. Burwood Breeze runs over his optimum trip here and won't mind the ground either. He has been running consistently into places off this mark recently and would probably have been second but for tipping up last time out. He should be thereabouts. Most of the remainder also look to be in the grip of the handicapper, though a 1lb drop will help Mister One, and despite the trip looking on the short side for this dour stayer, he could make the frame. For the selection though, we will go with Restless Wind.
