keen, mid-division, effort to chase leaders on inside over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, chased leaders 3f out, one pace
towards rear, headway over 3f out, hung left and chased winner approaching final furlong in vain
towards rear, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
always in rear
broke well, led briefly, always going well, led again over 3f out, clear when edging left final furlong
in touch, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace under pressure
always in rear
keen, soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, headway over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
Nonrunner
A three year old handicap and as always with these type of events there could be some handicap snips in here. Smetana does have the profile of one that could develop into one of Hughie Morrisons' improvers, having obtained his rating after three quick runs in succession at the backend of last year. Awarded a mark of 58, he returned to the turf earlier this month with a fifth placing at Warwick, where he weakened in the later stages of the contest after been prominent for most of the journey. While it didn't look a strong handicap, Morrison is a dab hand at improving these three year olds and Smetana is selected. Sarah's First has improved gradually and is related to some smart performers over shorter trips. She appeared as if she would appreciate further when staying on over 10 furlongs last time at Great Leighs. Blinkers are removed for today's outing as she was very keen throughout the early stages of her last run. Special Feature looks another that was campaigned in maidens with handicaps in mind and is bred to come into her own over this trip. The market is worth monitoring where Io and Shoot Pontoon are concerned but Smetana is selected.
Okafranca (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Always behind, no impression, 11th of 14, 19l behind Any Given Day (9-3) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) gf.
Smetana 16-1 (8-8) Prominent, took keen hold, shuffled back from 5f out, headway 2f out, weakened 1f out, 5th of 12, 8l behind Precision Break (8-9) at Warwick 1m 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs.
Io (IRE) 4-1fav (8-4) Behind, some late headway, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 14l behind Fairfield Flame (8-2) at Nottingham 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Flash of Fire (USA) 20-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, weakened 3f out, last of 6, 20l behind Allied Powers (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) hvy in Apr.
Sarah's First 9-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, pulled hard, soon tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 13, 9l behind Black Dahlia (9-2) at Great Leighs 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Yes Meg 7-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, effort under pressure over 2f out, weakened rapidly over 1f out, 13th of 14, 23l behind Cape Colony (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Special Feature (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 8, 14l behind Mafioso (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Shoot Pontoon (IRE) 22-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, slightly hampered over 3f out, weakening when hampered over 2f out, 9th of 13, 19l behind Wisdom's Kiss (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f stk 0-55 (6) pol.
Captain Mainwaring 12-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led 3f out, headed 2f out, one pace, 4th of 14, 15l behind Ovthenight (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Loveofmylife 14-1 (8-7) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 11, 8l behind Murcar (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gd.
Duneen Dream (USA) 28-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, ridden well over 1f out, soon switched right, soon beaten, 7th of 12, 13l behind Precision Break (8-9) at Warwick 1m 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs.
Titfer (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Led, joined over 4f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 16, 10l behind Fantastic Lass (8-11) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) sft in Apr.
Balais Folly (FR) 25-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 8th of 12, 13l behind Precision Break (8-9) at Warwick 1m 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs.
Poppy Dean (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) In touch when short of room and hampered after 1f, soon behind, never dangerous final 2f, 12th of 14, 21l behind Cape Colony (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Paddy Rielly (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) In touch, ridden and hung right from over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, not run on towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Ovthenight (9-0) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Teadancer (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on, 5th of 14, 16l behind Ovthenight (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Has To Be Abacus (IRE) 22-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden and outpaced 4f out, kept on from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 10, 6l behind Coral Shores (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo clm (6) pol in Feb.
