soon led, ridden over 1f out, soon edged right, driven out
held up, hampered over 4f out, no progress when wanting to edge left over 1f out
pushed along 3f out, always in rear
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on towards finish
held up mid-division, not clear run on inside over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out when still plenty to do, ran on strongly inside final furlong, just failed
soon chasing winner, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway on outer over 3f out, soon pushed along, pressing leaders 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
always prominent, ridden over 1f out, no extra near finish
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, not clear run and switched left inside final furlong, unable to quicken
slowly into stride, always in rear
mid-division, weakened over 1f out, soon drifted left
Russki has been a revelation since the application of blinkers and he can take this race at the main expense of Celtic Sultan and Dandy Nicholls' pair Regal Parade and Joseph Henry. David Simcock's gelding has flourished on the all-weather this winter, winning four of his six artificial surface starts. His recent victory proved that he was ahead of the handicapper and a 6lb rise in the weights may not be enough to curtail his improvement. Celtic Sultan is now five pounds above his highest winning mark, but Tom Tate's gelding was so consistent last season that one assumes he can be competitive off his mark of 100 today. He has run well here before and can go well assuming it stays dry. Plum Pudding's best runs have come on a straight track, whilst Captain Jacksparra should improve on a recent outing but a wide draw makes life tough. Joseph Henry has fared well on the draw front and is due to go up four pounds in the future. Along with his consistent stablemate Regal Parade, he rates as a danger. Dhaular Dhar won this race last year and his two recent runs should have blown away all the cobwebs, so from stall two he needs plenty of respect. Extraterrestrial obliged at Thirsk earlier in May, and with his earlier form looking rock solid, he should not be far away. A typically competitive start, however Russki is taken to oblige.
Celtic Sultan (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (8-9) Led and soon clear, ridden over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Appalachian Trail (9-6) at Doncaster 7f stk (3) gd in Oct.
Dhaular Dhar (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Held up behind, not much room over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 14, 11l behind Markab (8-8) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Apr.
Russki (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Made virtually all, led and set steady pace, quickened halfway, ridden clear 1f out, driven out, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr beating Kay Gee Be (9-4) by 2l, 8 ran.
Dream Lodge (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Raced stand side, always behind, eased 3f out, last of 21, well behind Don't Panic (9-8) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Extraterrestrial 4-1 (8-5) Held up behind, steady headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, edged left and kept on towards finish, won at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd beating Regal Parade (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Plum Pudding (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Tracked winner, effort on inner 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Russki (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.
Regal Parade 3-1fav (8-6) In touch, led over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Extraterrestrial (8-5) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Joseph Henry 11-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, led entering final furlong, headed last 100 yards, kept on, 2nd of 14, nk behind Geojimali (8-5) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
The Kiddykid (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Led after 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 8, 7l behind Emerald Wilderness (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.
Gallantry 28-1 (8-12) Towards rear, never dangerous, 15th of 16, 22l behind Transcend (9-0) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Apr.
Heywood 28-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 9th of 12, 10l behind The Osteopath (8-10) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr.
Bazroy (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, always in rear, last of 8, 15l behind Atlantic Story (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Captain Jacksparra (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden along over 3f out, soon beaten, last of 16, 22l behind Transcend (9-0) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Apr.
