Expert Analysis

There was a rather second-division, or even third-division, look to this, especially with only three really counting late on, but the winner at least put up another smart performance. The pace was pedestrian on what was particularly heavy ground, the final 4f of 63.52s equal to a 118.7% finishing speed.

ASH TREE MEADOW (c156 here and previously) is a tough nut to crack at this sort of level, especially if allowed things his own way as here, making all and mostly jumping well (if occasionally to his right), responding well from the second-last and just kept up to his work.

LUCID DREAMS (c148 here, 144 previously) seemed to run well though this may not be form to place maximum store by, in second most of the way and a shade free early, shaken up before 2 out and unable to match the winner but rallying to get back up for second close home. This was not much of a test in terms of gallop and he would probably be as good back around 2m.

JOURNEY WITH ME (c151+ here, 154 previously) shaped a bit better than the result, unlucky not to push the winner closer, set a bit to do in fourth despite the pedestrian pace, closing threateningly early in the straight but making a mistake at the second-last and only briefly getting into second thereafter. This was nonetheless pretty encouraging on his first start for getting on for a year.

FIGHTING FIT (c139 here, 145 previously) ran respectably, dropped after 3 out.

ANDY DUFRESNE (c129 here, ? previously) is not the force he was and was just about always in last-of-5.