with leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on
always towards rear
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on
always behind, outpaced
towards rear, effort halfway, no impression
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on
in touch, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, effort halfway, no impression
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
switched right start, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out
switched right start, behind, ridden halfway, no impression
mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
slowly away, always behind
High numbers usually fare best over the 5f course and so the elading protagonists here look to be Matsunosuke, Spanish Ace, Wicked Uncle and Handsome Cross, and we take Spanish Ace to be just about good enough. Milton Bradley doesn't run too many up at Beverley and he clearly fancies the chances of this five-year-old, for whom he has booked Kevin Darley to ride. A winner off this mark at Bath a couple of seasons ago, he has been in good form over the minimum trip this spring, and he wasn't that far away at Newmarket last time and he will do for us. Handsome Cross has a 9lb pull with his recent Thirsk conqueror Matsunosuke here and the Dandy Nicholls-trained runner should be capable of reversing placings comfortably on that basis, while Wicked Uncle is in good heart and capable on turf, although largely campaigned on the polytrack these days. Don't totally discount Bonne De Fleur if she is capable of defying a poor draw, but Spanish Ace can play a winning card here.
Spanish Ace 12-1 (8-4) Raced far side, always prominent, led far side group over 1f out, soon hung left, weakened close home, 11th of 26, 2 1/2l behind Mutamared (8-11) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf.
Grigorovitch (IRE) 13-2 (9-8) Behind, headway 2f out, no extra, 6th of 11, 4l behind Highland Warrior (9-3) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Wicked Uncle 10-1 (8-8) In touch, headway on outside to chase leader inside final furlong, ran on to lead near finish, won at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Trinculo (9-1) by a nk, 9 ran.
Handsome Cross (IRE) 11-1 (9-10) In touch, led 2f out, kept on final furlong until headed close home, 2nd of 13, nk behind Matsunosuke (8-11) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) frm.
Plateau 8-1 (9-9) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 1l behind Matsunosuke (8-11) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) frm.
Melalchrist 18-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 17, 13l behind Swinbrook (9-1) at Leicester 6f hcap (4) gd in Apr.
Countdown 14-1 (9-6) Held up far side, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 18, 3l behind Desert Commander (9-6) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Apr.
Bonne de Fleur 2-1fav (9-9) Made all, ridden over 1f out, hung left under pressure inside final furlong, held on well, won at Redcar 5f fll hcp (4) frm beating Millinsky (9-1) by 1l, 8 ran.
Prince Namid 9-1 (9-2) Towards rear far side, never dangerous, 14th of 18, 8l behind Desert Commander (9-6) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Apr.
Matsunosuke 6-1 (8-11) Steadied at start and held up, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home, won at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) frm beating Handsome Cross (9-10) by a nk, 13 ran.
Sentiero Rosso (USA) 40-1 (9-1) Soon struggling, last of 11, 9l behind Highland Warrior (9-3) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Armagnac 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, effort approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Conjuror (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Holbeck Ghyll (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) With leaders, ridden, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 2l behind Mambazo (8-5) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Ryedane (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 13, 5l behind Matsunosuke (8-11) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) frm.
Brigadore 25-1 (8-6) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, never reached challenging position, 13th of 17, 6l behind Paris Bell (8-6) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Whistler 25-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride and always behind, 8th of 10, 8l behind Peopleton Brook (8-6) at Goodwood 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Chatshow (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Led, headed 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 4l behind Matsunosuke (8-11) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) frm.
Salviati (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Dwelt and behind far side, never dangerous, 10th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Pomfret Lad (9-2) at Ripon 5f hcap (5) gd in Apr.