in touch, clipped heels after 1f, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached winner
chased leaders, ridden half way, soon weakened,
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
unseated rider, swerved badly right, and unseated rider start
with winner, led after 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong.
lead 2f, ridden to lead again over 1f out, driven out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression.
Gdansk ran with promise on his return at Pontefract on Monday and has his ideal conditions but his winning form is all at five furlongs so preference is for the in-form Up Tempo, who gets the verdict over Free Wheelin. The last mentioned should strip fitter for his recent return at Kempton and has form in the soft but the selection is in good heart at present and is difficult to oppose. Kevin Ryan seems to have got to the bottom of the son of Flying Spur, who became a touch frustrating with Tim Easterby and the six-year-old had already won races at Southwell, Newcastle and Redcar this term prior to finishing a close up fourth behind Cotosol at Thirsk last week. That was over seven furlongs and the drop back to six, under these conditions, should be ideal for Up Tempo who gets the vote. Reg Hollinshead's Cross Ash is well in at the weights but is not certain to handle the ground and a bigger threat may come from the reappearing Sewmuch Character who has gone well in the soft before. However, Up Tempo has plenty in his favour and he is taken to give weight away all round.
