broke well, soon settled in mid-division, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 2f out, driven clear over 1f out, ran on well
slowly into stride, raced keenly in touch, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, ran on, never troubled leaders
mid-division, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, pushed along halfway, stayed on same pace final furlong
tracked leader, lost place over 2f out
behind, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out
steadied in rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, not pace of winner
led until over 2f out, soon weakened
So tricky a handicap that you wouldn't rule out a dead-heat like last year, however the vote has to go to one horse and that equine hero is EMBSAY CRAG who is preferred to Jedi and Starla Dancer. A winner here last August, the selection has been in good form since coming back to work this season with two solid second-placed finishes. Paktolos is 4lb lower than when winning at Wolverhampton in January, Hindu Kush rates the pick of Ian Williams' pair on his run behind Yes Mr President, whilst Kidlat's winning run may now peter out having reached a mark in the 80's. Jedi's comeback fourth at Lingfield was exceedingly promising and he has run well here before, whilst Starla Dancer was well-held on her reappearance outing but she should come on massively for that effort. Interdiamonds was a battling second to Carlton Scroop at Doncaster last time and a repeat of that run (off the same mark) would see him go close, whilst Una Pelota looks handicapped to win having got to within six lengths of Harbinger here last May. Fascinating stuff, but our preference is for Embsay Crag.
Jedi 14-1 (8-1) Tracked leaders, effort well over 1f out, wandered under pressure, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Red Cadeaux (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Embsay Crag 10-1 (8-4) In rear, headway when not much room between horses 3f out, ridden and stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Dangerous Midge (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Paktolos (FR) 5-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, pushed along on outer over 3f out, soon beaten, one pace, 4th of 6, 7l behind Admirable Duque (8-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb.
Starla Dancer (GER) 3-1fav (9-1) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 10, 9l behind Rosbay (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Mar.
Hindu Kush (IRE) 2-1fav (9-11) Steadied and dropped in rear after start, switched right to outside 3f out, challenged and hung badly left from 2f out, kept on reluctantly to go 3rd over 1f out, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Satwa Gold (9-5) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
Phoenix Flight (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leading trio, ridden on outside 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 6l behind Chalice Welcome (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Manshoor (IRE) 11-1 (8-5) Raced wide, close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 16l behind Bugaku (8-8) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Apr.
Interdiamonds 7-2 (8-13) Led, ridden over 1f out, kept on gamely when challenged inside final furlong, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, hd behind Carlton Scroop (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
I'm In The Pink (FR) 13-8fav (9-6) In touch in chasing group, effort and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Hawridge Star (8-10) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Apr.
Una Pelota (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 12l behind Russian George (9-2) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
Kidlat 17-2 (9-1) Led until ridden and headed over 3f out, chased winner until over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 11, 11l behind Putra One (8-11) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Citizenship 8-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra and kept on one pace, 8th of 13, 18l behind Casual (9-6) at Leopardstown 1m 4f ext hcp hvy in Nov.
