chased leading trio, ridden halfway, kept on same pace inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
pushed along in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 2nd briefly, kept on one pace
pressed leader until led over 1f out, ridden and ran on
towards rear, ridden halfway, headway entering final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd, no threat to winner
pressed leader until halfway, edged left and weakened over 1f out
This has been won by some smart performers in the past and has attracted a strong line-up. Firgrove Bridge was always in the firing line when successful at Pontefract and will improve though the placed horses have been beaten subsequently. Jersey Bull has been steadily progressing and made all over an extra furlong at Ripon which should stand him in good stead over this stiff track. Midterm Break put the experience of his Ripon debut to good use when landing the odds in a poor race at Southwell while Vimy Ridge was always in touch when beating a strongly fancied rival at Musselburgh. Sea Wolf had a head to spare over Mattmu when making a successful debut at Doncaster but collateral form suggests NORTHGATE LAD is the one to be on here as he held off Mattmu comfortably on his debut on this track last week, looking a nice prospect in the process. Denzille Lane is the only non-winner in the line-up but that should be put right soon judged by his opening run behind Billyoakes at Hamilton where he was run out of it near the finish.
Firgrove Bridge (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Chased leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left towards finish, kept on, won at Pontefract 5f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Apr beating Zeela (9-0) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Jersey Bull (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Prominent on outside, led over 4f out, ridder dropped whip over 1f out, ran on, always holding on, (hand timed), won at Ripon 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd beating Flying Machine (9-5) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Northgate Lad (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Made all, ridden and ran on final furlong, won at Beverley 5f 2yo mdn (5) hvy beating Mattmu (9-5) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sea Wolf (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Prominent, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Doncaster 5f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Apr beating Mattmu (9-5) by hd, 7 ran.
Midterm Break (IRE) 1-3fav (9-5) Made all, shaken up over 1f out, ran on, readily, won at Southwell 5f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) fbs in Apr beating Rita's Boy (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Vimy Ridge 5-2 (9-5) Prominent, every chance over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon pressed, ran on, won at Musselburgh 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd beating Pres Rapide (9-5) by nk, 7 ran.
Denzille Lane (IRE) 17-2 (9-2) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran green in front, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Billyoakes (9-5) at Hamilton 5f 2yo mdn (5) gs.