dwelt and bumped start, soon close up, headway to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, weakened to 3rd close home
in touch until pushed along and outpaced halfway, rallied over 1f out, ran on well to 2nd close home, going on close home, not reached winner
chased leaders, went 2nd halfway, led on bit 2f out, ridden and ran on under pressure final furlong
outpaced, mostly behind
slowly into stride, behind, hung right to stands side when rider dropped rein 1f out, never on terms
led until entering final 3f, weakened 1f out
chased leader, led entering final 3f, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders on inside, disputing 2nd over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong and weakened to 4th close home
slowly away, outpaced and always behind
Helping Hand scored off 1lb higher in the weights at Beverley earlier in the year but he would prefer the ground to dry up considerably to stand his best chance. Ellen Vannin won two races ago at Brighton but over six furlongs and on good to firm so this may not be the ideal opportunity to find success again. STAMFORD BLUE acts on the conditions and returns to the course after a good effort here last time out. He gets the vote ahead of Convince who has been less than convincing this term and Miss Firefly who may still be a shade high in the weights.
Miss Firefly 13-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, not clear run 3f out, switched left 2f out, no extra final 75 yards, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Russian Rave (9-11) at Salisbury 6f fll hcp (5) gf.
Convince (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Behind, some headway on far rail 2f out, no chance with leading quartett, 5th of 12, 8l behind Sir Geoffrey (9-11) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Stamford Blue 10-3fav (8-8) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Vhujon (9-9) at Bath 6f app hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Ellen Vannin (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) With leader, led halfway, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 16l behind Rio Royale (9-3) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Pinball (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, soon edged right, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 6l behind Gracie's Games (8-7) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-55 (6) gs.
Five Gold Rings (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Keen held up, weakened 3f out, 11th of 15, 23l behind Sonny G (7-13) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Helping Hand (IRE) 18-1 (8-7) Prominent, every chance well over 1f out, weakened quickly, 11th of 12, 11l behind Timber Treasure (8-7) at Thirsk 6f all hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jul.
Cocktail Party (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, not much room inside final 2f, one pace and no impression final furlong, 6th of 11, 4l behind Bertie Southstreet (9-5) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Dancing Again 33-1 (7-13) Outpaced and always behind, 11th of 12, 10l behind Sir Geoffrey (9-11) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Transcentral 66-1 (8-5) Held up towards rear and keen, pushed along over 2f out, never a factor, 11th of 12, 10l behind Imperial Djay (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Apr.
