held up in touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and one pace in 3rd when rider eased briefly and lost 3rd place towards finish
chased leaders, effort 3f out, weakened over 1f out
made all, hard pressed final furlong, kept on
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and kept on one pace final 2 furlongs
tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on
Nonrunner
Bramantino gets the call over Tetragon, with Marias Magic and Backgammon the other principal players. Bramantino came out of his last race here with a great deal of credit, finishing second to Queen's Dancer in a classified stakes race. That was no mean performance in trying to give 19lbs to that less-exposed rival, and he should be hard to beat back in handicap company, especially if in the same mood that saw him win at Newcastle the time before. Tetragon was having his first outing on the Flat for around two years when a fair fourth at Hamilton on what was his first run for Alan Swinbank. He was only claiming class when last successful but may improve for the switch of stables. Marias Magic disappointed at Nottingham last time, given two earlier placed efforts, and Backgammon never really got going in the soft ground at York. He beat Marias Magic the time before at Hamilton and should be noted when sent hurdling by Keith Reveley. For now though it is Bramantino who should be followed.
Backgammon 20-1 (9-4) Towards rear, some late headway but never able to challenge, 9th of 20, 21l behind Dundry (8-12) at York 1m 6f hcp (4) sft.
Monolith 14-1 (7-8) Held up, good headway to track leaders 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 16th of 34, 14l behind Contact Dancer (8-2) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (B1) sft in Oct.
Apsara 16-1 (9-2) Led, headed 6f out, weakened quickly over 4f out, 11th of 12, well behind St Savarin (8-1) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Marias Magic 7-2fav (9-11) Took keen hold to lead, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 16, 9l behind Sangiovese (9-6) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (5) gd.
Bramantino (IRE) 2-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Queen's Dancer (8-9) at Carlisle 1m 4f stk (5) gf.
Sporting Gesture 33-1 (8-11) Towards rear, never dangerous, 12th of 20, 26l behind Dundry (8-12) at York 1m 6f hcp (4) sft.
Dimple Chad 50-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, challenged 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 8l behind Mith Hill (8-12) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Tetragon (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 1l behind Qualitair Wings (9-7) at Hamilton 1m hcp (5) gd.
