close up, led 3f out, shaken up final furlong, ridden inside final furlong, caught post
mid-division, headway on inner and not much room over 1f out, switched right entering final furlong, kept on towards finish
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on to lead post
towards rear, outpaced halfway, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
close up, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
led to 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear and outpaced, soon in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
in rear and outpaced, soon reminders, struggling from halfway
BIRKENHEAD came here for a novices' event last month and just managed to get up. He's since been narrowly beaten twice at Ripon at that level which looks a cut above this. He has to concede 19lb to Frida Kahlo, who led for a long way in a Redcar seller, but shoud do so and What A Business looks more of a threat. Jamie Osborne's colt was only beaten narrowly on his debut at Chelmsford before weakening in the closing stages when tackling 6f at Newmarket. Allhallowtide is a very rare Irish-based runner here and though she hasn't shown much at Dundalk and Navan she wouldn't be here without good reason.
Birkenhead 2-1 (9-5) Raced wide pressed leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Three Coins (8-13) at Ripon 5f stks (5) gs in May.
What A Business (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 14th of 19, 12 1/4l behind Dancinginthewoods (9-1) at Newmarket 6f stks (4) gf in May.
Allhallowtide (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and joined 1 1/2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened, 8th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Back To Brussels (9-0) at Navan 5f mdn fll Yielding in Apr.
Not Another Word 50-1 (8-11) Outpaced in rear, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Insania (8-11) at Thirsk 5f stks (5) gd in May.
Vodka Dawn (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 9 1/2l behind Gold Venture (8-7) at Redcar 5f stks (5) gf in May.
Spiritulist 33-1 (9-5) Close up on inside, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 8 3/4l behind Silver Start (9-0) at Bath 5f stks (5) gf in May.
Frida Kahlo (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Led until over 1f out, soon hung left, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Gold Venture (8-7) at Redcar 5f stks (5) gf in May.
Stittenham 100-1 (9-0) Towards rear, early reminders, soon outpaced, 11th of 12, 28 1/2l behind Repartee (9-5) at York 6f mdn stks (2) gf in May.
Scotch Corner (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, headway towards outside halfway, weakened 2f out, last of 9, 17l behind Execlusive (9-0) at Beverley 5f stks (5) gs in May.