prominent, ridden over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression
led for 1f, remained close up, led halfway, ridden and edged left over 2f out, clear over 1f out
led after 1f and raced keen, headed halfway, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, headway to chase winner over 1f out until no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along before halfway, weakened over 3f out
slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 3f out, kept on from well over 1f out, no impression
JOE JO STAR gets a confident vote in the finale to come out on top, ahead of Beaumont Boy and Willyn. The last named did not have the clearest of passages last time, but kept on to snatch third in a decent event. However, he is yet to win a handicap, and though he will come on for his seasonal debut, he was soundly beaten and may have to settle for a place again. Beaumont Boy is still a maiden in 19 attempts, but he ran well to be a decent fourth at Musselburgh last time. However, that was only a seller, and he may be outclassed here. Joe Jo Star took the classy Swinton Hurdle at Haydock and this is an unusual follow up. That was his third hurdles win of the season, and he has clearly made good progress since his last outing on the Flat, when second on the all-weather in January. Joe Jo Star can underline his advancement here.
Darfour 9-1 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon outpaced, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Wednesdays Boy (8-13) at Ayr 1m hcap (6) gs in Aug.
Joe Jo Star 8-11fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, travelling well over 2f out, driven to challenge approaching final furlong, soon outpaced, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Ruwain (8-3) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcap (6) pol in Jan.
Dolly No Hair 33-1 (8-9) Always behind, last of 13, 23l behind Ken's Girl (9-2) at Leicester 7f app hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Beaumont Boy 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway and every chance entering final furlong, soon one pace, 4th of 11, 4l behind Lucayan Dancer (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 1f sell stks (6) gf in May.
Bumble Rose (IRE) 100-1 (9-8) Towards rear, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 26l behind Hillview Boy (9-13) at Hamilton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) gd in May.
Oh Landino (GER) 28-1 (8-2) Always behind, 10th of 11, well behind Chookie Hamilton (7-9) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
Hawkit (USA) 40-1 (10-7) In rear, effort over 2f out, one pace, 11th of 16, 9l behind Ergo (10-13) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Willyn (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on fianl furlong, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Stateside (8-4) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.