held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on
pulled hard, tracked leaders, saddle slipped and lost place halfway
chased leaders early, soon restrained to rear, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
soon tracking leaders on inner, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
with leader and keen, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, no impression final furlong
tracked leaders until weakened over 2f out
A tricky finale with everything fully exposed and we will stick with Realism to maintain some good recent form and defy a penalty, with Smart John and Night Market the probable dangers. Realism has already won twice over this trip during June, at Nottingham and Chepstow, with a second at Chepstow sandwiched in between. A bargain buy for just 2,500gns, he has already paid his way, and with everything in his favour except the penalty here we are prepared to side with him while he remains in form and rely on his current confidence to help him get home in front. Smart John is another who has been going well, but who was well beaten last time having been raised 3lb for a Haydock success on his penultimate start. Nevertheless a decent run is expected but he may just be found wanting off this mark again. Night Market is another in form, with a amateur's handicap at Warwick last time out to his name. He has run respectably over 10 furlongs in the past but is clearly better over shorter and he looks likely to see one or two outstaying him here. To finish the card then, we will take a large dose of Realism.
