mid-division, took keen hold, waiting for room on inside from over 3f out until headway inside final 2f, soon ridden, no impression final furlong
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on entering final furlong, no extra towards finish
slowly into stride, held up in last, ridden over 2f out, no impression
prominent, took keen hold, ridden well over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden and lost place when bumped 4f out, rallied over 1f out, stayed on well to lead last strides
mid-division, wide 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
ridden to lead, headed well over 1f out, stayed on under pressure, every chance well inside final furlong, held close home
pressed leader, ridden over 2f out, led well over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, headway on outside 5f out, challenged over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, headed last strides
always towards rear
A chance is taken on MIEREVELD getting the better of Optimistic Duke and Tom Wade. Sir Mark Prescott's runner drops 4lbs in the weights after two poor runs since being switched to handicap company, but he steps up in trip and has a first-time visor applied. Add to that the fact that Seb Sanders rides for the first time and it'd be little surprise were he ready to win in this low-grade affair. Should he not live up to our expectation then the way may be clear for Optimistic Duke, whose most recent effort was a good one. He steps up to 1m4f and that should suit and he's expected to go close to enhancing William Muir's 25% strike-rate with three-year-olds here. Tom Wade is tried in cheek-pieces as he drops in grade having finished well behind a progressive filly last time, Valantino Oyster won on his handicap debut two starts back and will be given another chance by many with this extra yardage to suit, while Rosewood Lad is suited by conditions but looks harshly weighted on his handicap efforts so far. Lily Rio drops in class and steps up in trip and needs watching for support as another Muir-trained runner, however we're happy to take a chance on Miereveld.
Tom Wade (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, ridden 3f out, no impression, 5th of 7, 9l behind Goldtrek (9-1) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Lily Rio (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Soon close up, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after, 10th of 14, 16l behind Explorator (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) fm.
Optimistic Duke (IRE) 6-4fav (8-9) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced by leading pair, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Sternian (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) gs.
Rosewood Lad 20-1 (8-8) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 14l behind Allannah Abu (9-13) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Valantino Oyster (IRE) 7-4 (9-1) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, soon headed, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 7l behind Grams And Ounces (9-10) at Ayr 1m 2f 3yo app hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Reel Love 8-1 (7-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 23l behind Robbie Burnett (9-1) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Miereveld 5-1 (9-2) Led, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 5, well behind Grams And Ounces (9-10) at Ayr 1m 2f 3yo app hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Always Dixie (IRE) 22-1 (8-4) Towards rear, behind over 2f out, 14th of 17, 21l behind Emeralds Spirit (7-13) at Thirsk 1m 3yo sll hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Light The City (IRE) 16-1 (7-11) Mid-division, lost place 8f out, ridden over 3f out, headway to go 3rd 2f out, no chance with 1st 2, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Escape Artist (8-7) at Beverley 2m 3yo mdn hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Patricks Lodge 33-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased, 9th of 10, 38l behind Market Puzzle (8-12) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) gf.
