raced keenly chasing leaders, ridden and weakened inside final 2f
steadied start, held up in last pair, never involved
off the pace in last pair, never on terms
led, hung right and ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed and no extra inside final 100 yards
pressed leader, pushed along over 2f out, sustained challenge inside final furlong, pushed along and ran on to lead inside final 100 yards
chased leaders on inside, ridden and unable to quicken in 3rd over 1f out, plugged on same pace, no chance with leading duo, eased inside final 100 yards
This is probably the most competitive race on today’s card. De Vegas Kid may just need this but is one of four previous course winners. RED ALERT is another and he has tumbled down the weights as a result of a barren run. Only beaten a length at Chepstow on Saturday, his turn may have come around again. Big Time Maybe beat I'm Mable here last month but the placings were reversed a week later. Gherkin certainly has claims back on Turf and the three-year-old Ceilidh is also worth a second look.
Gherkin 5-1 (9-8) Soon prominent, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Agapanther (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
De Vegas Kid (IRE) 11-4 (8-11) Tracked leaders out wide, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Poetic Force (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
I'm Mable 10-3 (9-6) In rear, pushed along and switched right over 1f out, ran on strongly inside last, not reach leader, closing at finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Alfred Cove (9-4) at Brighton 5f hcp (6) fm in May.
Big Time Maybe (IRE) 4-1 (9-8) Towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Alfred Cove (9-4) at Brighton 5f hcp (6) fm in May.
Red Alert 9-1 (9-2) Off the pace towards rear, went between horses over 1f out, good late headway, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Savalas (9-3) at Chepstow 6f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Ceilidh 11-1 (9-8) Led, headed halfway, tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind B Associates (9-13) at Carlisle 6f hcp (6) gf in Jun.