towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on to lead well over 1f out, headed and no extra close home
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out and soon weakened
tracked leaders, lost place over 4f out, soon ridden and beaten
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
always towards rear
held up, switched right and headway 3f out, soon ridden and challenged from 2f out, held close home
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, weakened close home
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on until not much room inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway to challenge final furlong, kept on to lead close home
always towards rear
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
Rotuma gets the call here ahead of Sting Like A Bee, Infidelity and Hugs Destiny. There is no doubt that a return to his best form of last summer would give Rotuma a very good chance here. He is also a course and distance winner that has shown enough of late for us to suggest him as the selection. Here's hoping. Balwearie put in an improved run last time, but that came in a seller, while a market move for Monashee Express should be given some thought. Donna's Double has place claims, while Sting Like A Bee is just four pounds above the mark from which he won here last summer. Infidelity and Santiburi Lad are others to be well-weighted on last summer's form, while Hugs Destiny showed improvement last time and could yet have better to come. Prelude's stable is returning to form now, so she might go well, while Wooly Back ran pretty well here last time and the step up in trip should be in his favour today. Overall, though, the vote goes to Rotuma.
Rotuma (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Instructor (9-10) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (5) gf.
Woolly Back (IRE) 16-1 (7-11) Chased leader, every chance 2f out, ridden over 1f out, not much room inside final furlong, weakened when hampered towards finish, 10th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Frontier (9-1) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (4) gf.
Prelude 33-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 27l behind Strong Hand (9-7) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp (5) gf in May.
Hugs Destiny (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, nk behind Son of Thunder (9-12) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp (5) gf.
Santiburi Lad (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Raced keenly with leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 16, 15l behind Wizard Looking (9-1) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Infidelity (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 15l behind Fairy Monarch (8-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gf.
Sting Like A Bee (IRE) 10-1 (8-0) Behind until ridden and kept on final 2f, never near leaders, 5th of 8, 4l behind Easibet Dot Net (9-1) at Ayr 1m 3f hcp (5) gf.
Donna's Double 4-1 (9-4) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden and chased leaders 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 6, 20l behind Tomasino (9-13) at Newcastle 1m 4f clm (5) gf in Jun.
Ruby Legend 20-1 (8-9) Prominent, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Westcourt Dream (8-9) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (5) gf.
Monashee Express (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Took keen hold in mid-division, lost place over 5f out, headway on inside over 2f out, not trouble leaders, 4th of 12, 10l behind Stargazer Jim (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Balwearie (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, kept on from over 1f out, 2nd of 14, nk behind Golden Spectrum (10-1) at Hamilton 1m sll (5) gd in Jun.
Ball Games 66-1 (9-3) Always behind, last of 15, well behind Tanga Dancer (8-6) at Hamilton 1m sll (E) gf in Aug '03.
Casalese 28-1 (8-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 11l behind Woodford Consult (8-12) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Jun.
