chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, led entering final furlong, all out
in touch in 4th and pushed along, pushed along over 2f out, soon outpaced
tracked leader, challenged over 1f out, kept on and just held close home
led, rider dropped whip over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, soon weakened
AS GOOD AS GOLD has the the edge on today's terms of those with a handicap mark. Formerly with Ballydoyle, she has had just the one start for Richard Fahey when fifth at Ripon and improvement is expected. Eastern Racer also arrives on the back of an outing at Ripon where he went close in a maiden race while Nortron was well beaten in a tough handicap at Ascot last time and will be more at home in this. Fleeting Strike's second at Lingfield is misleading as he was well beaten and Frangarry has yet to look like winning.
Eastern Racer (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Led, ridden over 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Especial (9-5) at Ripon 6f 3yo mdn (5) sft.
Fleeting Strike 7-4fav (9-0) Led on rail, joined 2f out, headed over 1f out, outpaced and no chance with winner final furlong, 2nd of 11, 12l behind Ijmaaly (9-0) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) gd.
Nortron (IRE) 10-1 (8-2) Prominent in main group and 3rd overall, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 15l behind Mister Universe (8-12) at Ascot 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
As Good As Gold (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) In rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Quite Smart (9-0) at Redcar 7f fll mdn stks (5) gf.
Frangarry (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Slow into stride in rear, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 12, 5l behind Crystal Malt (8-9) at Doncaster 6f mdn auc stks (5) gf.
