prominent, ridden and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, driven and one pace final 2f
held up, headway 3f out, led 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra close home
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon beaten
in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace
towards rear, ridden 3f out, never trouble leaders
in rear, never trouble leaders
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon beaten
always behind
chased leader, ridden and weakened over 2f out
A winner when stepped up to today's trip at Wolverhampton last month, MCBIRNEY was allowed to start a big price dropping back in distance off an 8lb higher mark at Haydock last time. He won again, however, and Paul D'Arcy's progressive gelding is worth sticking with here. Hong Kong Island has won twice at Pontefract recently and is worth considering, but Amazing Blue Sky and Oddsmaker are both upped in class after scoring on their latest outings. Last year's Epsom winner Music City made a disappointing reappearance and can only improve on that here.
Jonny Lesters Hair (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Led, clear 8f out, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, rallied to challenge leader inside final furlong when hampered and short of room, not recover, 5th of 10, 6l behind Butler (8-11) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Embsay Crag 25-1 (9-2) Removed hood late, dwelt, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous, 11th of 18, 10l behind Line Of Duty (9-7) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Mcbirney (USA) 14-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear on outside, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Amazing Blue Sky (8-4) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Music City (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Dwelt, soon in touch, weakened 3f out, 12th of 14, 24l behind Prince Of Johanne (9-5) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
Hong Kong Island (IRE) 5-2fav (8-7) Tracked leaders, not much room over 1f out on inner, soon switched right, kept on well to lead inside final furlong, won at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Perpetually (9-7) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Fourth Generation (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Beaumont's Party (8-11) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Full Speed (GER) 50-1 (8-9) Always in rear, 8th of 10, 13l behind Butler (8-11) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Amazing Blue Sky 11-4fav (9-7) Made all, hard ridden over 1f out, kept on well under pressure, won at Haydock 1m 2f ladies hcap (5) gf beating White Diamond (10-2) by 5l, 11 ran.
Kingsdale Orion (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, some headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 31l behind Ravi River (10-10) at York 1m 4f am hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Oddsmaker (IRE) 3-1fav (9-6) Made all, 6 lengthes clear over 4f out, hard ridden over 2f out, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Apr beating Oh Landino (8-7) by 5l, 10 ran.
Red Fama 28-1 (9-4) Behind, never dangerous, 10th of 16, 20l behind Bollin Greta (9-5) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.