mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened quickly
chased leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, switched right 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, led and edged left inside final furlong, headed post
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon outpaced
led, ridden over 1f out, headed no extra inside final furlong
with leaders, ridden when not much room 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead post
Don't Tell Sue, Danjet and Overstayed are all sure to have their supporters but we will make Strike Up The Band the selection. His trainer Dandy Nicholls rates this well-related colt as the best 2-year-old he has had in some time and he couldn't have been any more impressive on his debut at Pontefract when beating Coquet Island by 7l. He has more on his plate here but he is well-drawn and with further improvement likely he looks the one to beat. Don't Tell Sue hails from the Barry Hills yard who have got a decent strike-rate here, but although he has the form to win this his draw in stall 10 will make life very difficult. Danjet has done little wrong so far and she put up a fantastic effort when only narrowly beaten under a penalty at Lingfield behind Azygous. She has a fair draw and the services of Jamie Spencer and is respected. Overstayed won impressively on his debut at Ripon but that was on heavy ground and he has a wide draw here so others are preferred. Ooh Aah Camara has the plum draw but he gave the impression that 6f would be his best trip when a decent second behind Bow Bridge at Thirsk last time. This is a good competitive race to open the card and for the winner we will return to Strike Up The Band.
Don't Tell Sue 6-1 Pulled hard, held up behind leaders, headway to chase leader inside final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead near finish, won at Newbury 5f 2yo mdn gs in Apr beating Johnny Alpha by a hd, 5 ran.
Overstayed (IRE) 12-1 Made all, driven clear well over 1f out, stayed on well, easily, won at Ripon 5f 2yo mdn hvy in Apr beating Prejudicial by 6l, 9 ran.
Strike Up The Band 3-1fav Dwelt, soon with leader, led over 1f out, soon clear, won at Pontefract 5f 2yo mdn gd in Apr beating Coquet Island by 7l, 9 ran.
Bel Cantor 66-1 Slowly into stride, outpaced, headway halfway, hung left under pressure from over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 8, nk behind Lord Jack Flash at Yarmouth 5f 2yo mdn gd in Apr.
Dusty City (IRE) 12-1 Chased leaders, slightly outpaced over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, gaining near finish, 3rd of 8, nk behind Azygous at Lingfield 5f 2yo stk pol in Apr.
Danjet (IRE) 7-2 Tracked leader, slightly outpaced over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Azygous at Lingfield 5f 2yo stk pol in Apr.
Ooh Aah Camara (IRE) 8-1 Held up, pushed along and switched left over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Bow Bridge at Thirsk 5f nov stk gs in Apr.
Dream Factor (IRE) 5-2jt-fav Tracked leader, led halfway, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, won at Southwell 5f 2yo mdn aut fbs in Apr beating Nico's Girl by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Lake Hero 15-2 With leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong, won at Musselburgh 5f 2yo mdn aut gf in Apr beating The History Man by 1l, 9 ran.
Miss Lovat Wizard King filly out of 7f and 1m winner Cantina.
