led to 3rd, reminders after 6th, lost place after 4 out
mid-division, chasing leaders 7th, ridden when hit and unseated rider 8th
always behind, pushed along, tailed off 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, chased winner from last, no impression
chased leader, jumped right, led 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened after last
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led 3 out, ridden clear after 2 out, blundered last, easily
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, quickly weakened, pulled up before 2 out
Ireland's Eye, Glacial Evening and Mister Dave's catch our eye here, with the vote going to Ireland's Eye. The selection showed that he stayed well when winning at Hexham last time, although he may have been a slightly fortunate winner. He's also been raised nine pounds for that win but his rider claims seven.Glacial Evening stays well but is not blessed with too many gears. That said, he has conditions to suit and ought to go well despite an eight-pound rise in the ratings. Falchion struggles to get his head in front while Naive Buck looks to be using this as a stepping-stone back to chasing. Mister Dave'S won from a mark of 91 here two years ago, will love the going and, with his rider's allowance factored in, races from 95. He should be on the shortlist too. Border Star is now five-pound higher than for his Stratford win in August 2002, but that is his only win to date. Overall, then, we'll side with Ireland's Eye to land the opener.
