Reporter: Simon Rowlands
A slowly-run race in which the runner-up might have been flattered to a degree, the winner’s final 4f of 56.81s on borderline heavy/soft ground equal to a finishing speed of 117.7%. It is probably best to rate the form as very useful but with that note of caution in mind.
THE YELLOW CLAY (h148 here and previously) got there only very late in the day but the way things unfolded did not really suit him, and he remains a smart prospect for this trip and further. He raced in second jumping/travelling well but had to be shaken up as the second pushed on 2 out and came under maximum pressure before getting there near the line.
FLEUR IN THE PARK (h145? here, 136 previously) seemed to run out of his skin but this may prove to flatter him somewhat, dictating the pace, quickening 2 out and looking like holding on until very late in the day. He had shown useful form behind the same rival the time before, as well as at least once in bumpers, and is clearly in fine fettle right now.
MOZZIES SISTER (h133 here, 119+ previously) improved a fair bit on the form of her only previous run (and win) over hurdles, no surprise given she was useful in bumpers, held up before improving into third after 2 out then merely keeping on.
MY GREAT MATE (h131 here, 132 previously) seemed to run creditably despite plotting an unorthodox course, held up and last by halfway, brought wide to his right 2 out then hanging back the other way but initially making some headway.
PATTER MERCHANT (h125 here, 133 previously) ran respectably at best, finding little at the business end.
WILL THE WISE (h0 here, 128 previously) might not have been right to have finished as tamely as he did.
