held up, headway 5 out, chased leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed towards finish
chased leaders, lost place halfway, pushed along and headway 2f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong
chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, kept on approach on final furlong,
led, race very wide round bend into straight, soon many lengths clear, headed over 3f out, weakened quickly
slowly into start, held up in rear, headway 4f out, ridden and went 3rd over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
pulled hard in touch, lost place 4f out
held up mid-division, good headway, chased leader over 2f out, ridden and stayed on to lead towards finish
Nonrunner
A competitive ladies' handicap gets proceedings underway, and from a shortlist of Our Kes, Great View, Friends Hope and Its Moon we like the look of Great View. This 9 year-old is a course and distance winner; two weeks ago he put up a good effort in chasing home Synonomy at Warwick. He won this race two years ago, and with the drop back in trip and ground conditions to suit, he looks to be the one to be on again. Our Kes could be the main danger; she arrives in good form, although all but one of her wins have been on the all-weather, which is why we prefer Great View. Friends Hope also merits respect, having won recently over this trip in France, and she's made the frame on her last 5 outings. It's Moon will find this more competitive than when disappointing at Thirsk in a claimer last time out, so we'll stick with Great View as our pick for this competitive race.
Friends Hope 13-2 (9-1) Started slowly, close up on outer, ridden to lead over 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Auntie Mame (8-7) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Its Moon (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (9-1) In touch, driven and effort over 2f out, soon no impression, 4th of 9, 6l behind Maneki Neko (8-10) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Our Kes (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-10) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, every chance final furlong, out battled, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Stringsofmyheart (8-13) at Great Leighs 1m 2f fll hcp (5) pol.