JOHN KEATS ticks plenty of boxes here and we will put him forward to get the better of Glasshoughton and Hotham. The selection hails from a yard that do well here and he ran his best race of the season so far when chasing home Sea Rover at Haydock last time out. He has a good draw and he looks a solid bet to get off the mark for the year. Glasshoughton ran his best race of the season over this course and distance last time when he was only narrowly beaten by Maison Dieu. He is another who has a good draw and he should give our selection a race. Hotham is effective over this trip but his best form is over 5f and on that basis he is narrowly passed over. Ruth Carr has enjoyed a fruitful season and Only A Splash wasn't beaten far at Musselburgh last time, but he has now gone 24 races without getting his head in front so he can't be backed with any confidence. John Keats is put forward to lead them home.
Glasshoughton 9-2 (10-0) Held up, headway and not much room over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Maison Dieu (9-3) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Hotham 10-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Secret Venue (8-13) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
John Keats 3-1fav (9-4) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd final 100 yards, not pace to get to winner, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Sea Rover (8-11) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fm.
Imperial Sword 25-1 (9-0) Behind and pushed along, never threatened, 7th of 9, 7l behind Bid For Gold (9-7) at Carlisle 6f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Steel Blue 8-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Feeling Fresh (9-5) at Hamilton 6f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Andrasta 14-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 2f out, soon edged left and weakened, last of 4, 16l behind Mango Music (10-0) at Haydock 6f (5) gd in Jun.
Diamond Fire (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden in 4th 3f out, no impression 2f out, weakened and eased from 1f out, 12th of 15, 26l behind Napa Starr (9-4) at Bellewstown 1m hcp 0-65 gd.
Only A Splash 33-1 (8-5) Chased winner, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Nufoudh (8-2) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gs.
Regal Royale 16-1 (8-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 12, well behind Loose Caboose (8-1) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
