led until headed well over 1f out, faded final furlong
held up in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, pulled hard early, led well over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
held up, effort when hampered over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
chased leaders until weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, outpaced halfway, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, hung left and headed well inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders, driven to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on
held up towards rear, pulled hard, no impression
Espada is an interesting contender, and can put paid to recent scorer Lobos and northern raider Zhitomir. It is hard to believe that Espada is lining up in this sort of company, given his exploits in the past. He was able to mix it with the best of them in top handicap company, and was successful in April in a classified stakes race at Windsor. He has been absent since finishing down the field at Chester in May, which is a bit of a worry, but just a glimmer of his past form would be enough. If for some reason Jamie Osborne has not got him spot on, then Lobos may be the one to take advantage. Gary Moore¿s charge has been a standing dish here this year, and landed a minor gamble in a Class E handicap four days ago. There is no reason why he should not go close. Zhitomir was already sliding down the weights when he left Simon Dow and would have to recapture his form in a big way. The fact that he has been sent down from Darlington though means that he should be kept on the right side. Jamestown is a bit of a character these days but was good enough to win a claimer at Pontefract in April. If he puts it in, he may reach the frame, but we are prepared to go with Espada under one of the best all-weather pilots, Eddie Ahern.
