tracked leaders and keen, ridden to challenge on outside 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
held up, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased when beaten final furlong
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra towards line
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong
held up and keen, headway over 2f out, driven final furlong, no extra towards line
Dream Express gets the nomination to land this where the handicap debutant San Silvestro and unexposed Imperial Djay could well emerge as the biggest threats. The selection showed real promise over this idiosyncratic track on his seasonal debut and that promise was delivered at Wolverhampton two starts back when he scored in impressive style despite drifting markedly left in the closing stages. That trait was once again displayed at Thirsk when he finished third off this mark in what was a more competitive race and with the ease in the ground likely to suit, Dream Express can land his second victory this season. The handicapper has not taken any chances with San Silvestro by allotting him a rating of 79 for his handicap debut. He was the winner of a backend maiden auction, the third having subsequently scored although the overall profile of the race did not look strong. He will do well to win this on his seasonal debut. Of more interest is Imperial Djay, who tackles seven furlongs once again. Dropped back to six last time, he was doing his best work in the latter stages of the event and his first two career outings were over this course, in which he showed plenty of promise. The handicapper has dropped Pintano 7lb after his seasonal debut in maiden company. The additional furlong here is likely to suit although he will need to step up from those maiden performances. Dream Express is given the nod to come home in front.
Dream Express (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Took keen hold behind leaders, ridden over 3f out, not much room and switched right approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Lindoro (9-7) at Thirsk 7f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Jun.
San Silvestro (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Soon in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to lead final 50 yards, held on, won at Catterick 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) gf in Nov beating Stagecoach Topaz (9-2) by a hd, 13 ran.
Pintano 13-2 (9-3) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Everything (8-9) at Ripon 6f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Royal Acclamation (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Tracked winner, ridden and every chance 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Actabou (8-7) at Redcar 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Imperial Djay (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon hung left, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Bishopbriggs (9-7) at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Ride A White Swan 7-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, keen in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 12, 18l behind Mr Fantozzi (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp (6) fbs.
Kyllis 11-1 (9-2) Led for 2f, one pace final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Umverti (8-9) at Carlisle 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) gf in Jun.
