led early, headed and remained in touch, ridden to regain lead well over 1f out, ran on final furlong
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in rear, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, eased inside final furlong
prominent, ridden and headway 2f out, chased winner final furlong
held up, pushed along over 3f out, driven over 1f out, one pace final furlong
Princess Cocoa is the pick over Dimelight, Bolckow and English City. This is a tight little handicap, but Princess Cocoa has done enough of late to earn the vote. Richard Fahey's filly was fancied at Ripon last time, but after being slowly away, she used up most of her energy trying to get quickly back into contention, and had nothing left to offer as Scotland Yard romped home ahead of her and Hunting Haze. She looked the part when scoring at Chester earlier with English City behind, and is worth chancing under Paul Hanagan. Dimelight is very well bred, but the topweight looks like he needs a step up to 12 furlongs on the evidence so far. Bolckow flopped badly at Pontefract and is still a maiden, and for the winner we stay loyal to Princess Cocoa.
Princess Cocoa (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (8-6) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, ridden and switched left 2f out, hung right over 1f out, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Scotland Yard (9-6) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Hunting Haze 13-2 (8-3) Held up, soon racing keen, effort over 3f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Scotland Yard (9-6) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Bolckow 6-1 (8-10) In touch, reminders over 5f out, soon beaten, last of 7, well behind Nesno (9-7) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Three Strings (USA) 9-1 (8-8) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 13, 10l behind Apsara (9-3) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-70 (5).
English City (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Prince Picasso (9-13) at Carlisle 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) frm.
Dimelight 5-1fav (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, switched left and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 18l behind Katchit (9-7) at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Jun.