held up, headway halfway, one pace final furlong
prominent, ridden halfway, no extra over 1f out
led, headed inside final furlong, one pace
with leaders, every chance until no extra inside final furlong
behind, never dangerous
held up mid-division, effort on outer over 1f out, one pace
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, ridden, switched left over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong
dwelt, always behind
slowly away, never dangerous
Obe Royal, Circuit Dancer and John Keats are the three for the shortlist here and the vote is given to Circuit Dancer. The selection has been threatening to resume winning ways on his last couple of starts and he did well to chase home Cheveton last time. He has been backed on each of his last two outings and can make it third time lucky. Obe Royal has been running well off his current mark and he put in another solid effort last time out. He looks booked for a place at least, but he may find at least one too good. John Keats won well last time but he may be vulnerable today his 6lbs penalty, while course and distance winner Quicks The Word is another who could go well at a price. However Circuilt Dancer can gain his reward for a string of consistent efforts.
John Keats 6-1 (9-0) Held up, headway 2f out, driven to lead 1f out, ran on, won at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-85 (4) frm beating River Thames (9-11) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Obe Royal 9-2 (9-7) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd well inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Applesnap (9-6) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Red Cape (FR) 25-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Harrison George (9-6) at York 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Circuit Dancer (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) In touch, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Cheveton (8-11) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Howards Tipple 10-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden halfway, stayed on final 2f, 5th of 13, 6l behind Ronnie Howe (9-12) at Hamilton 5f hcap (6) gf.
Royal Challenge 16-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 14, 4l behind Bid For Gold (9-6) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Welcome Approach 14-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 13, 5l behind Namir (9-1) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Quicks The Word 7-1 (11-2) Led, edged right over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 15, 4l behind Botham (10-5) at Hamilton 6f amt hcp (6) gf.
Maison Dieu 11-2 (9-5) Slowly into stride, mid-division halfway, no impression, 9th of 17, 8l behind Avontuur (9-7) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Ulysees (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten, 9th of 12, 8l behind Pianoforte (9-3) at Hamilton 1m sll (6) gf.
Alexia Rose (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Very slowly away, always behind, came wide entering straight, 6th of 8, 12l behind Blackheath (8-9) at W'hampton 5f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb.