slowly into stride and towards rear, ridden over 3f out, near troubled leaders
prominent, ridden over 3f out and challenged, weakened final 2f
in touch, ridden 3f out, headway to challenge entering final furlong and soon one pace
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, chased leaders entering final furlong, one pace
led and keen early, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out and soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out to challenge entering final furlong, weakened close home
towards rear, ridden over 3f out and soon beat
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held-up, ridden over 3f out, some headway over 1f out, chased leaders, one pace inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, good headway to lead entering final furlong, ran on well inside
The hat-trick seeking Acomb arrives here obviously at the top of his game and can get the better of the likes of Jordans Elect and Takes Tutu, who hold the most solid claims out of the rest. That said, Goodbye Mr Bond does make some appeal from the foot of the handicap and is worth monitoring when the betting starts to pick up in earnest. Like Jordans Elect, the Eric Alston-trained gelding has a little more to do under a penalty in this company and there has to be the suspicion that he will find at least one too good here. Which brings us back to Acomb, who has won both his last two starts with plenty in hand and could still be ahead of the assessor despite his own burden of 6lb extra. However, he is effectively 8lb higher in the weights for this after the initial assessment following his Thirsk victory and will do well to win in the same manner if everything goes to plan for him here. Nevertheless, Acomb has shaped as if he on the crest of a wave at the moment and it could be a little premature to be deserting him here. Takes Tutu has a solid chance at the weights and could be the best alternative if there are negative vibes surrounding Acomb before the off.
