prominent, ridden and headway to chase leader 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
mid-division, ridden 7th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, lost touch 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
in touch, headway 7th, went 3rd and ridden 3 out, led 2 out, driven out flat
led, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on one pace
prominent, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out
soon behind, pulled before 4th
held up last ridden and headway after 7th, stayed on from 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 7th
held up in mid-division, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, weakened 3 out
chased leader, ridden 3 out, weakened last
A couple of these are engaged elsewhere so expect a few withdrawals but of the likier runners, Lough Derg looks to have a progressive enough profile and can follow up a recent win at Cheltenham over a similar trip. Pipe is also likely to saddle Bounce Back in this race. He remains "thrown in" versus his old marks but there has been very little shown of note of late from the eight-year-old. One Nation is duly entered but would rate a live chance off ten stones. He won impressively at Warwick and any overnight rain would not go amiss. Grand Finale looked progressive for Venetia Williams last term and if there is any money for him on reappearance, he should be capable of taking a hand in proceedings. Glacial Sunset's return to the winners enclosure was assisted by a change to front-running tactics. He is unlikely to get such a soft lead on this occasion. Dangerously Good ran a career best on his last start at Kempton and is another to watch in the market. It will be interesting to see how many show up on the day but Lough Derg looks (at the overnight stage) to be the one to be siding with.
