mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
behind, stayed on well from over 1f out, never nearer
prominent and keen, led 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
took keen hold, behind, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, never trouble leaders
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
soon led, headed 4f out, soon not much room and weakened
steady start, pulled hard behind, headway after 2f, ridden over 2f out, weakening when not much room over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and not quicken well inside final furlong
always towards rear
mid-division, headway over 6f out, ridden and chance well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led early, stayed prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakening when not much room well over 1f out
This is a virtual rerun of last Friday's course and distance handicap and Royal Melbourne is fancied to come out ahead of East Cape, Indian Chase and Ocean Rock on this occasion. Ocean Rock has a 7lb penalty to carry today and looks opposable in his bid to follow up last week's narrow win, while Indian Chase has improvement to find in his quest for a first victory at Wolverhampton. Therefore the biggest threat is posed by East Cape, who has dropped to a handy mark at present. He was a little bit unlucky at a crucial stage last week and he will be a tough nut to crack if he stays out of trouble this time. However, the on course layers are unlikely to take many chances with him and, as he hasn't won a race for approaching two years, he is not the safest betting proposition of the day. Therefore, it can pay to allow Royal Melbourne another bite at the cherry today. The Julie Camacho-trained gelding is holding his form well at present and, as he still has scope for improvement at the trip, Royal Melbourne rates as fair value in a tricky little race to assess.
Field Spark 10-3fav (9-8) Never better than mid-division, 9th of 16, 11l behind Hilltime (8-12) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (6) frm in Jun.
Ocean Rock 50-1 (9-0) Held up and behind, headway over 3f out, led well over 1f out, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol beating Royal Melbourne (9-4) by a nk, 12 ran.
Indian Chase 11-1 (9-6) Held up in touch, not clear run 3f out, soon ridden, not quicken, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Ocean Rock (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol.
Head To Kerry (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 3f out, stayed on under pressure final 2f, not reach leaders, 4th of 15, 7l behind Platinum Charmer (9-9) at Bath 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) frm in Jun.
Zaffeu 5-1 (9-9) Held up, driven over 6f out, stayed on, never nearer, 5th of 11, 9l behind Wizard Looking (9-7) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp (6) frm in Jun.
Royal Melbourne (IRE) 9-2fav (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up and took keen hold, headway over 2f out, hung left from 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 12, nk behind Ocean Rock (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol.
Fillameena 5-1 (8-9) Settled mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and switched left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 3l behind General Flumpa (8-12) at Warwick 1m 5f hcp (6) gs.
East Cape 9-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, not clear run and switched left inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Ocean Rock (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol.
