slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, effort over 1f out out pace final furlong
slowly into stride, soon in touch, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out
dwelt, soon in touch, effort over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final 2f
mid-division, out paced over 2f out, kept on towards finish
prominent, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division effort and edged right over 1f out, kept on same paced
The History Man can put a recent defeat to rest by beating Always Baileys, with Bowland Boy and Bond Angel Eyes ones to note in the market. The market last time suggested that the time was right to back The History Man who was sent off as favourite at Catterick on the strength of two earlier promising efforts. However, Mick Easterby's charge could only finish third to She's Our Beauty after fading near the finish, and was not helped by the cut in the ground. The faster conditions here, plus the fact that he will have strengthened up a bit more, can help him to get the losses back. Strictly on Musselburgh form, he has nothing in hand of Bowland Boy, but Alan Berry's inmate did not show any improvement on a return to the Scottish track, so is passed over. Bond Angel Eyes is worth noting as she is entered in the Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy later this year, and her stable had a juvenile winner on Thursday, but we shall stay loyal to The History Man.
Kincaid Dr Fong colt out of 7f winner Peacock Alley.
The History Man (IRE) 6-4fav (8-6) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 11, 1l behind She's Our Beauty (8-2) at Catterick 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) gs.
Always Baileys (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, outpaced halfway, kept on final furlong, no impression, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Fangorn Forest (8-9) at Beverley 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd.
Bowland Boy 11-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no impression when wandered inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Memphis Man (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Apr.
Goodbye Girl (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 8l behind Empress Jain (8-11) at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn fll (5) gd.
Dancing Flame 10-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 16, 6l behind River Kintyre (9-0) at Chester 5f mdn stk (3) gs.
Eskimo Nell 7-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders, effort 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Beverley Polo (8-7) at Newcastle 5f 2yo mdn aut (6) gs.
Snake Skin 40-1 (8-11) Mid-division, soon chased along, never able to challenge, 9th of 13, 8l behind Empress Jain (8-11) at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn fll (5) gd.