always behind, tailed off final 2f
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, ridden out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent on outer, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on
prominent, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
close up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, effort halfway, kept on and no impression final furlong
prominent, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly away, held up behind, headway on inner over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
It could be a good policy to pick two against the field here with a split stakes investment on one drawn high and one drawn low as there is every possibility that there will be a difference of opinion as to where the best ground will lay. Therefore, Zilch, with a handy position on the far side in stall four, and confirmed mudlark Gdansk, also potentially well berthed in 13 if they come over to the stands' side, are forwarded as the two to be on here. Although Abbajaba, Lincoln Dancer and Grey Cossack are all dangers if they hit the gates running and have to be shortlisted as big dangers. As do Cd Flyer, who will have benefited from his reappearance blow-out, and the David Nicholls-trained Loyal Tycoon, who also usually needs a run to put him straight. Nicholls has also secured the services of Kevin Darley for Awake, who will love this ground and is now 2lb lower than when he won a valuable handicap at The Curragh last season. However, he has been well below that sort of form on too many occasions since to be strongly recommended and he, in turn, is one to watch today. In contrast to Zilch, who has returned with a vengeance this season and can reverse recent form with Tidy on 2lb better terms. The drop to this trip was not a problem for him at Kempton last time and he will be hard to beat if repeating the effort today. Gdansk is also worth a punt as he has always been a much better horse when the ground is riding soft. His record at the trip is not as bad as first indications would lead you to believe and he is no forlorn hope to nick a place at a double figure price for each-way backers.
