steadied start, held up toward rear, good headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ridden, ran on
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, no impression final 2f
steadied start, pulled hard in rear, ridden, weakened over 2f out
pulled hard in rear, switched left 3f out, good headway over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace
led, headed over 4f out, ridden, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up, headway over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, ridden, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on
held up in rear, never a factor
led over 4f out, ridden when lost action, headed over 1f out, soon eased, virtually pulled up towards finish
chased leading pair, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, outpaced over 2f out, ridden, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out
I'm Ova Ere Dad is sporting choice over Musaalem, Violent Velocity and Grey Boy. The last named has dropped to a tidy mark and, having ran encouragingly at Windsor last week, he appears to be turning the corner and running into form. He should have no problems with the ground and is one to bear in mind at attractive odds. Violent Velocity has also posted a hatful of respectable efforts and is running with a good level of consistency just now. Still, he doesn't appear to be especially well handicapped, so needs everything to go his way. Musaalem beat trees on his debut and it would be dangerous to read too much into the form. A mark of 75 looks harsh for his debut in a handicap and, even though he is open to improvement; the William Haggas-trained gelding is not one to jump overboard with at cramped odds. Therefore, a small stakes investment in I'm Ova Ere Dad could be the best route to riches here. Don Cantillon's charge is a versatile character that can be relied upon to give his all. And, cliches aside, I'm Over Ere Dad does look the most reliable option in a very tricky contest.
Musaalem (USA) 11-10fav (9-3) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, led over 1f out, readily, won at Warwick 7f mdn stk (5) gf in Aug beating Batchworth Blaise (9-3) by 2l, 12 ran.
Fiefdom (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Always rear, 14th of 17, 9l behind Osteopathic Remedy (8-12) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Banjo Patterson 20-1 (8-4) Soon ridden along, never a threat, 5th of 8, 7l behind Esteem Machine (9-4) at Great Leighs 6f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Apr.
Im Ova Ere Dad (IRE) 11-4fav (9-5) In touch, ridden to chase winner 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Kabeer (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Bertie Southstreet 10-1 (9-0) Led narrowly hard pressed from 2f out, headed over 1f out and weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 5l behind Diriculous (8-8) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Violent Velocity (IRE) 6-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, led approaching 3f out, clear advantage over 2f out, ridden and headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Unlimited (8-2) at Chepstow 7f hcap (5) gd.
Hits Only Cash 8-1 (8-9) Held up, driven 5f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, nk behind Hucking Heat (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Grey Boy (GER) 20-1 (8-4) Chased leaders on inside, every chance 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Punching (8-9) at Windsor 6f app hcp (5) gs.
Apres Ski (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Dwelt, pulled hard, headway to chase leaders after 3f, edged left over 1f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 7, 13l behind Yakimov (9-7) at Southwell 1m clm (6) fbs in Apr.
Wodhill Schnaps 9-4 (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 4th of 6, 25l behind Xpres Maite (9-3) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr.
Empire Dancer (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Led early, chased leader until driven over 1f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 16l behind Mineral Rights (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
