chased leader, ridden over 1f out, not quicken final furlong
soon tracked leader, weakened 1f out
held up rear, ridden over 3f out, effort on outside over 1f out, soon weakened
held up, headway 2f out, squeezed through on inside to lead close home
soon outpaced in rear, never in contention
led, ridden over 1f out, headed close home
Madrasee has leading claims in this company, with Ballybunion and Blue Moon Hitman her main opponents. Madrasee is the highest rated of these on 61 and looks well enough treated by today' s conditions, so may well bounce back from a disappointing first effort for Roger Ingram at Brighton last month. Prior to that she had lost all chance at Lingfield when bursting out of the stalls early on her debut for John Best, having finally left Les Montague-Hall after a successful career in handicaps. With Jamie Spencer booked to ride, she should be hard to beat at this level. Ballybunion was a beaten favourite at Leicester last time and should also run well, but he is rated five pounds behind the selection yet has to give her nine-pounds, as does Blue Moon Hitman who has been consistent enough at a lowly level this year. The other three runners appear up against it, and for the winner we return to Madrasee.
Ballybunion (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 4th of 15, 1 1/2l behind Coranglais (8-13) at Leicester 6f hcp (5) gf.
Blue Moon Hitman (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind One Way Ticket (9-11) at Warwick 5f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Diamond Ring 25-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Kallista's Pride (8-13) at Bath 6f sll (6) frm in Jun.
Madrasee 16-1 (8-6) Always in rear, 9th of 10, 5l behind Redwood Star (8-4) at Brighton 5f hcp (4) frm in Jun.
Sweet Talking Girl 25-1 (8-11) Hampered start, always towards rear, last of 9, 22l behind Saintly Place (8-11) at Southwell 5f stk (7) fbs in Apr.
Tomthevic 10-1 (8-12) Prominent until weakened quickly, just over 1f out, 13th of 18, 7l behind Sweetest Revenge (9-0) at Bath 5f app hcp (6) gf.