led, blundered 3 out, soon headed, not quickened from last
tracked leader, outpaced 5 out, kept on same pace from 3 out
tracked leaders, blundered 9th, soon lost place, tailed off when hit last
held up in touch, headway 9th, hit next, ridden and one pace 3 out
held up in rear, headway 9th when 2nd after 4 out, ridden and led after 3 out, stayed on well
Just Jolly gets the call here ahead of Shannon's Pride and Canon Barney. To begin with, the advantages of the selection are that he is lightly-raced and he certainly looked reasonable when winning and then finishing second at Huntingdon on his second- and third-last outings. On his penultimate start he was beaten by Three Days Reign, who since won from a higher mark. Having seemed to fail to stay at over nearly three miles and seven furlongs back at the same track, he drops to a more appropriate distance today and can, accordingly go well. Shannon's Pride rates an obvious danger as he remains favourably weighted, we feel, after an Ayr win, his first run since a soft-palate operation. Canon Barney has been disappointing overall since beating Bear On Board at Uttoxeter in March but he is, at least, falling in the weights now and should be fitter following a seasonal return. Gregorio is well weighted on his best form of three years ago but was mainly disappointing in 2002/3, while Paddy The Optimist won here in May but has since been beaten off revised marks. In summary, then, the overall vote goes to Jolly Jake.
