mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
prominent, driven over 2f out, weakened final furlong
behind, never a factor
never better than mid-division
tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
towards rear, driven halfway, some late headway, never near to challenge
held up mid-division, headway on inner 2f out, not much room, switched right over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
This is a competitive handicap in which the in-form Tagula Sunrise gets our vote ahead of Roman Maze and Breaking Shadow. The selection does have a penalty for her win at Ripon last time when she beat Dispol Katie. However, she won in such convincing fashion that we see no reason to desert her, especially with ground conditions to her liking. Roman Maze would certainly have claims on the pick of his form but he is best on a faster surface that this which is enough to temper confidence today. Breaking Shadow is closely-matched with our selection on their running at Ayr earlier in the month. That race has worked out well and it will be a surprise if he is not able to make the frame from a good draw. Baylaw Star is from a yard in cracking form and he is another to consider, but for the winner we will stick with Tagula Sunrise.
Hartshead 8-1 (9-9) Prominent, ridden 2f out, edged left and one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 7l behind Minority Report (9-3) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) frm.
Pieter Brueghel (USA) 15-2 (8-9) Prominent, driven over 2f out, soon beaten, 11th of 17, 14l behind Borderlescott (9-1) at York 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft.
Baylaw Star 12-1 (9-3) Soon led, driven clear well over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Musselburgh 7f hcap (4) gf in Apr beating Sawwaah (8-7) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Roman Maze 7-2 (9-2) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Dabbers Ridge (9-0) at Chester 1m hcap (2) gs.
Tagula Sunrise (IRE) 6-5fav (9-7) Raced alone far side, pushed along over 2f out, driven and clear leader over 1f out, ran on final furlong, won at Ripon 6f fll hcp (3) hvy beating Dispol Katie (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Prince Tum Tum (USA) 13-2 (9-4) Held up, some progress over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Algharb (9-2) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Primo Way 10-1 (9-11) Started slowly, always in rear division, 12th of 16, 15l behind Dabbers Ridge (9-7) at Thirsk 7f hcap (3) gd in Apr.
Breaking Shadow (IRE) 9-2fav (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on well from over 1f out, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Commando Scott (8-10) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.