I have never before studied a race that has so many front runners or prominent runners lining up. Based on each of their last 3 runs these 12 runners rack up a total of 11 occasions where they led their respective fields. Add those to a ‘prominent’ or ‘disputed lead’ in running comment for the 36 runs and in 28 of them these horses either led, disputed the lead or were, at the very least, prominent. Does this help pick a winner? Probably not. I guess the jockeys will be wise to the situation. Indeed I fancy GARDEN OASIS if ground firms up a bit. When he wins he makes all, hardly an attribute ( nor is his draw) in this tear up of a race. However you can get too cute with these things and I’m still going to back him. But what I would say, and here’s my point ( yes there is one ) if we do get a right scrap up front the in-running market could get very interesting. One horse that ‘was’ held up last time was FREEDOM DAY. Ex Gosden and difficult to assess but he looked unlucky in a decent race at Haydock last time under a “not today Jason” ride. Now he may have looked unlucky but he may also be a difficult ride, impossible to know but he may be worth a punt in-running if he is held up again.