mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven, headed, no extra inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on well
dwelt, in rear, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong
led, clear halfway, headed over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders until ridden and weakened over 3f out
mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon no extra
prominent until ridden and weakend over 2f out
On paper this handicap looks a two horse race between CHAMPAIN SANDS and Bryon Bay where we prefer the first mentioned with Carpe Diem looking next best. The selection has been slowly coming back to form since returning from a break capping that run with victory over this trip last time out. He's up fours pounds for that cosy success and having run well off higher marks in the past he should still go well. The six pounds penalty allotted to Byron Bay for a last time out success looks to be enough to stop him winning again but he should be involved. It's hard to ignore anything from Richard Fahey's yard at the moment and Carpe Diem now looks to be down to a realistic mark having only found one too good last time out under his current burden. Most of the others have chances at grabbing a share of the prize pot but the claims of Champain Sands look good.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Mid-division, effort halfway, no impression, 9th of 12, 7l behind Bere Davis (8-11) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Shadowtime 7-1 (8-6) Prominent, led 3f out, driven when headed well inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Salerosa (8-8) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Champain Sands (IRE) 10-3 (8-4) Held up, headway on inner 2f out, switched right over 1f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fm beating Kildare Sun (9-0) by 1l, 7 ran.
Intersky Charm (USA) 9-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon under pressure and beaten, 6th of 10, 16l behind Onemoreandstay (8-6) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr.
Forzarzi (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 9, 4l behind Mountain Cat (8-10) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Carpe Diem 6-1 (8-6) Prominent, switched left and ridden to lead over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Kabis Amigos (9-1) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fm.
Da Bomber (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 11th of 15, 17l behind Broad Cairn (9-2) at Haydock 1m mdn stks (5) gs in May.
Malinsa Blue (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon edged left, hung badly right inside final furlong, kept on, 5th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Botham (10-8) at Hamilton 1m (6) gf in May.
Wilmington 33-1 (8-4) Held up, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 9l behind Stateside (8-4) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.
Navajo Joe (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Always behind, 12th of 14, 12l behind Barricado (8-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Byron Bay 7-1 (8-9) Led after 1f, quickened 3f out, ridden and hard pressed inside final furlong, just held on, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs beating Almahaza (9-3) by nk, 14 ran.
