held up, behind, effort from 3f out, headway over 2f out, kept on
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace
tracked leader, keen, led after 1f, ridden ,headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
led for a furlong, chased leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well
held up in touch, effort over 2f out not troubled leaders
held up, keen, ridden, headway 2f out, kept on
always behind
always towards rear
tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, good headway on outer over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace
Bridgewater Boys is taken to land this over his optimum trip, with Uhuru Peak, The Bonus King and Dvinsky also considered. The selection doesn' win too often these days, but around two years back he was winning a competitive Ripon handicap over this trip off an 8lb higher mark, and so he is definitely capable. He likes these conditions too, and so a chance is taken on him. The Bonus King will be popular after a 9f Wolverhampton win last time. He is drawn out wide which won't help, and nor will a weight rise, so we will look elsewhere. Uhuru Peak has shown some promise for Mick Easterby and looks likely to get home on this ground too, so could go close, while Dvinsky has to prove he really gets further than a mile. But one who does that is Bridgewater Boys, and he is the pick here.
Gifted Flame 12-1 (9-4) Slightly hampered over 5f out, always behind, 11th of 13, 19l behind African Sahara (9-1) at Nottingham 1m app hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Oakley Absolute 14-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 14, 15l behind Tagula Blue (8-8) at Leicester 1m 2f hcap (5) gd in Apr.
Dvinsky (USA) 25-1 (8-11) In touch, driven over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Hula Ballew (8-8) at Pontefract 1m hcap (5) gf.
Bridgewater Boys 12-1 (8-13) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Sir Bond (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (5) pol in Apr.
The Bonus King 7-2fav (9-3) Mid-division, headway well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Apr beating Primeshade Promise (8-10) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Torquemada (IRE) 9-2 (8-8) Behind, headway and switched right over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 3l behind Ma'am (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Distant Country (USA) 8-1 (8-6) In rear, ridden 4f out, never a factor, 8th of 11, 8l behind Latif (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Uhuru Peak 9-2fav (8-9) Always towards rear, 14th of 17, 12l behind Golden Square (8-5) at Warwick 1m app hcp (6) gd.
Paris Heights 11-1 (8-6) Towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 16, 6l behind Mount Usher (9-3) at Beverley 7f hcap (6) gf in Apr.
Splodger Mac (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 13l behind Cd Europe (9-4) at Redcar 7f sll (6) frm.
Monkstown Road 50-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 16, 16l behind High Treason (9-1) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Fairy Monarch (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 11th of 12, 23l behind Boogie Magic (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol.
