mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, pushed out
steady to start, held up behind, never dangerous
held up behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, soon no impression
held up in touch, headway to track leaders over 4f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, one pace
led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, one pace
held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, one pace
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, some headway on outer, well over 1f out, never dangerous
led for a furlong, with leaders, ridden and weakened when not much room over 3f out
very slow away, always behind
chased leader, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
The in-form Larad has to be respected on his recent form, but he is opposable back in handicaps off his mark of 55 and a more appealing option comes in the shape of Gold Guest, who went close at Lingfield just before Christmas and will be very hard to beat if he is in the same frame of mind today. Man The Gate is another that is respected at this level and can go well for each-way players if the prices permit, while Rebel Raider would have also come in for a solid mention if he had not run a stinker when he was last seen out. He, as indeed do many of the rest, now has a little to prove. Therefore, it can pay to stick with Gold Guest, who is well treated in comparison to his rating when notching a couple of course wins at this time last season and he will have very few excuses off a 5lb lower mark today.
