towards rear, pushed along to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on final furlong
stumbled soon after start and unseated rider
pushed along to chase leaders halfway, challenged well over 1f out, stayed on gamely to lead near finish
behind and pushed along, never threatened
led early, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
soon led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
in rear, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed near finish
mid-division, weakened well over 1f out
close up, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra
This should prove to be a decent little opener with the likes of BUY ON THE RED, Bid For Gold and Eastern Hills expected to battle it out at the front and it's the first mentioned who gets the nod. The David Nicholls-trained gelding has put in sound efforts over 6f and 7f this season and looked a decent sort when winning over 5f last time out, coming home virtually unchallenged. That was his first win for just over a year but he looks to be hitting some good form and looks capable of following up. He'll have tough competition here; Bid For Gold is a bit of an inconsistent performer but ran well at Hamilton last time out and won by some margin after getting off to a flying start. He tends to do better over 6f but can make the frame here. John Wainwright's Eastern Hills looked well at York when last seen, showing he has the pace for shorter trips. He made third there and the stiffer track here could see him do even better.
Eastern Hills 50-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 19, 4l behind Dancing Maite (9-6) at York 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Buy On The Red 8-1 (10-5) Raced centre, made all, cleared over 1f out, unchallenged, won at Leicester 5f Ladies Handicap (0-70) 3yo+) (5) gf in Jun beating Baybshambles (10-8) by 1 1/4l, 17 ran.
Bid For Gold 11-4 (9-5) Made all stands side and overall leader, ridden 2f out, stayed on well, won at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jun beating Azure Mist (9-8) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Imperial Sword 16-1 (9-1) In rear far side until stayed on well final furlong, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Requisite (9-8) at Ripon 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
Soto 9-1 (8-4) Close up, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Mark Of Meydan (9-2) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
Hansomis (IRE) 3-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, led inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 10, shd behind Optical Illusion (9-5) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Avontuur (FR) 16-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway on outer 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Glenridding (9-7) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jun.
Young Gladiator (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Soon led, headed over 3f out, driven and weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 12, 9l behind Ninth House (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Red River Boy 20-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 7l behind Foreign Rhythm (8-10) at Beverley 5f Apprentice Handicap (0-55) (3yo+) (6) gf in Jun.