with winner, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, hit 7th, weakened when hit 3 out
tracked leaders in 3rd when fell 6th
tracked leaders, hampered 6th, ridden to go 2nd after 2 out, every chance last, one pace flat
held up, hampered 6th, ridden after 3 out, no impression from next
made all, ridden after last, kept on well
Mighty Fine gets our vote here ahead of L'Orage Lady and, possibly, Diamond Joshua. The plus points for the selection are that he was won over course and distance and his capable rider takes seven pounds off his back. The negative is that he has been beaten from today's mark since his win. However, this race lacks overall quality and, with form on soft, he should go well. L'Orage Lady could prove a danger as she keeps getting raised for running well but her form is solid enough and she's entitled to consideration. Diamond Joshua won a conditional jockeys seller at Uttoxeter last time and, despite being raised eight pounds for that effort, comes here in good heart. The downside is that he has no form on soft. Turning to the others and Sharp Belline is back to the mark from which he won in May 2002 but lacks a recent run; Western Rock also lacks a recent run but, despite being a maiden, has run some fair races in defeat; Sands Rising won his novice event last year but has shown little since; and Russian Sky is another maiden who has run some fair races in defeat. Overall, though, the percentage call seems to lie in Mighty Fine.
