held up in rear, ridden and weakened after 3 out
edged right before crossing start, led, hard ridden flat, headed close home
took keen hold, chased leader, jumped right 1st, lost 2nd when not fluent 4th, ridden before 2 out, stayed on towards finish, just held
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, pushed along before 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on, led close home
held up in 4th, well in touch 3 out, dived at 2 out, not quicken last, stayed on towards finish
held up in 5th, took keen hold, never able to get involved
Major Davis remains a maiden but has come home runner-up on three of his last four starts, although there has to be a question mark or two against him on this first start since last July. Stonecoldsoba is not easy to catch right but is a useful tool at this level on a going day as amply demonstrated at Huntingdon last time. However, he is 9lb higher as a result and has shown the best of his form on easier, sharper tracks. Sue Be It looks in the grip of the handicapper and it's NIKKI STEEL who gets the vote after confirming that the ability is still there after a lengthy absence. He's still lightly-raced and ran a cracker last time when runner-up at Ludlow on just his second run back. Trip and ground are fine. Salix is most lightly-raced of the sextet and rates a major danger on his handicap bow after showing promise in novice and maiden hurdles. He could well prove far better than his current rating.
Stonecoldsoba 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, mistake 1st, headway before 3 out, chased leaders next, led after last, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr beating The Blue Bomber (11-3) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Nikki Steel (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Led, mistake last, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Equus Millar (11-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Major Davis (FR) 2-1 (11-0) Not always fluent, chased leaders, 2nd 3 out, ridden before next, soon beaten, one pace, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Buble (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f mdn (5) gf in Jul.
Sue Be It (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, closer at 2nd, chased leaders and hit 5th, went 2nd after next until approaching last where not fluent, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Llantara (11-9) at Hereford 2m hcp (4) hvy in Apr.
Salix (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Settled in rear, steady headway after 3 out, modest 4th and hit last, nearest finish, 4th of 13, 21 1/4l behind Highway One O One (12-0) at Kempton 2m (4) gs in Apr.
Clock On Tom 50-1 (8-10) Always in rear, last of 9, 14 3/4l behind Di's Gift (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
