tracked leaders, ridden and one pace final 2f
took keen hold in mid-division, headway over 4f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, hard driven to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
mid-division, headway under pressure 5f out, led over 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
led, stayed alone far side, every chance until no extra close home
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leader until ridden and weakened 3f out
always behind
Both Mystified and Zefooha have strong claims on this handicap but we take our chance with the very much in form KINGS MAIDEN. The pick has been rarely out of contention in eight starts and had a very successful campaign over timber in the winter. She's shown good form back on the level this season including landing a similar race on her penultimate start and followed that up with a good run under a penalty to find just one too good. Mystified's best form on the level has come in sellers but his mark looks at least fair and he is in good heart. Zefooha was a winner on his last start after returning to a nice mark but he looks to have more to do this time now five pounds worse off. Mayadeen is looking well handicapped now and should run better than in recent starts but with Kings Maiden in such good form we'll take our chance with her.
Bijou Dan 16-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden along and lost ground over 5f out, 8th of 12, 21l behind Clear Reef (9-2) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in May.
Kings Maiden (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, driven and headway over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Forrest Flyer (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in May.
Zefooha (FR) 7-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May beating Monte Pattino (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Mayadeen (IRE) 18-1 (8-11) Mid-division, lost place over 3f out, soon beaten, 8th of 10, 21l behind Nawamees (8-12) at Catterick 1m 4f 4yo sell stks (6) gd in May.
Mystified (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led 6f out, headed 3f out, pressed leader, ridden and stayed on to lead again over 1f out, held on well towards finish, won at Redcar 1m 6f (6) gf beating Blue Jet (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Aura Of Calm (IRE) 28-1 (8-11) In touch when lost action and pulled up quickly over 5f out, in a race won by Nawamees (8-12) at Catterick 1m 4f 4yo sell stks (6) gd in May, 11 ran.
Rocknest Island (IRE) 14-1 (8-0) Prominent, effort over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 13, 7l behind Zefooha (9-1) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
Rascasse 100-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 9, 16l behind Rowan Lodge (9-5) at Carlisle 1m clm stks (6) gf.