As always the Draw is the most widely discussed topic all Meeting here.

 

If you make the start off a Low Draw there is a clear advantage, however, the cutaway at the furlong pole allows a cleaver Course specialist rider the option of cutting up the far rail or trying a slingshot out down the middle of the course as tired pace setters fan out, so really I think more down to tactical awareness than blind luck. It's also easily forgotten that if you make a less than good start off a low draw you are simply face with a wall of horses and often nowhere to go, so in that regard, middle to high can be better suited for tactical options.

 

Broken Spear who has decent 5 and 6 furlong form here on this type of Going is likely to lead them and whilst it could be a sitting duck in the closing stages it's a fact that the leader always has a chance if there is pandemonium in behind. I'd expect a bold run from that one. Rain and the draw is a worry for Baby Steps who also has decent Course form although it runs off a nice mark and is fit from the AW.

 

Shawaamekh is the "could be anything" contender and therefore hard to quantify, Silver Samurai is another who is fit from AW, the drop in trip is not an obvious move and Stall 12 is probably the reason for the price, not inconceivable that it could sling late and fast down the middle but you'd have to logicise it may all be happening a bit too fast up front. Ledham gets the plum draw in Stall 1, an ex Stoute inmate who ran well at end of 2019 and who has soft ground winning form, definitely one to track but this race may just be a bit too hot but could pick up a nice prize in Class 4 maybe after this third run back after missing the whole of 2020.

 

I'm left with 4 serious contenders and leave National League out as although fit and in form I think 6 furlongs (over which it has Course form) is still its optimum trip and Stall 8 is possibly the worst place to be tactically as do you stick or twist unless absolutely pinging the stalls.

 

It's hard to argue about the veteran and favourite SIR MAXIMILLIAN drawn in Stall 2, the Trainer targets this Meeting and can't leave it out of calculations, have a win saver if you wish, I see it as a Tricast Banker.

 

I'll take it on with a pair of Course specialists - 

 

LINCOLN PARK is drawn high a Course winner and a winner over the Distance, Tom Dascombe is very much the local Trainer, they'll be tactically prepared for Stall 11 and I think there is a bit of a mark up in price purely due to that Draw and we can take advantage of that. PRAEXOLOGY is fit, in form, running in to form indeed, good Course record, fine on Good to Soft or Soft and off a very winnable mark.

 

TIP - PRAEXOLOGY / Tracker - Lincoln Park (Tricast - Sir Maximillian)