chased leaders, switched right and effort over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, no extra and eased near finish
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
dwelled, behind and soon outpaced, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
dwelt and behind, driven halfway up, ridden and kept on final furlong, no impression
reared and fell stalls
with leader, ridden to late well over 1f out, stayed on well
in touch, driven over 2f out, ridden and chased winner over 1f out, kept on
behind, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders
A fiercely competitive event in which Handsome Cross is nominated ahead of Princess Ellis and Hypnosis. Anne Duffield's charge is not the most frequent of winners but his recent run at Musselburgh was a step in the right direction and with the handicapper granting some long overdue respite, he could be in today off a helpful mark. Princess Ellis ran a good second to Look Busy in a listed contest at Ayr. She was not knocked about at Chester when events conspired against her. Hypnosis is a previous course-and-distance winner and must be respected on that evidence alone. Godfrey Street returns to action on turf having raced exclusively on the all-weather for some time. New York Oscar is a regular in sprints of this nature. Classic Encounter has beat nothing home in two recent starts. Northern Bolt is yet to recapture his juvenile promise but it would be folly to write him off just yet. Windjammer is some way out of the handicap but it is interesting to see Tim Easterby taking his chances nonetheless. Handsome Cross should be decent price and we'll chance him here.
Princess Ellis 12-1 (8-7) Led,headed over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Look Busy (8-13) at Ayr 5f hcap (2) gd.
Classic Encounter (IRE) 22-1 (9-12) Soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 9, 6l behind Baybshambles (8-7) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Northern Bolt 10-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride and always behind, 10th of 11, 12l behind Hamish McGonagall (9-3) at York 5f 3yo hcp (3) gf in May.
Malapropism 7-1 (9-11) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Rasaman (9-9) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Deserted Dane (USA) 15-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 11l behind Angus Newz (9-13) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jun.
Hypnosis 20-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 10, 2l behind He's A Humbug (9-4) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Nomoreblondes 8-1 (9-4) Prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Misaro (9-11) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Windjammer 11-2 (9-3) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 6l behind Sandwith (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
Godfrey Street 12-1 (8-8) Chased leaders until outpaced halfway, last of 9, 11l behind Canadian Danehill (9-1) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Mar.
Handsome Cross (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, led briefly entering final furlong, soon no extra, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Sandwith (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.
New York Oscar (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) With leader, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Hurricane Hen (9-0) at W'hampton 5f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) pol.