with leaders stand side, ridden 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
prominent stand side, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
held up behind stand side, ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
held up, keen stand side, ridden and headway 2f out, weakening when hung right final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, weakened
held up and keen stand side, chased leaders halfway and weakened final furlong
made all stand side, ridden over 1f out, kept on
chased leaders standside until hampered after 1f out, no impression after 1f out
raced alone far side, ridden well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up stand side, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on
towards rear stand side, ridden and headway to chase leaders over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
towards rear stand side, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
In a very interesting sprint handicap, we will side with Cape Royal, although among others to consider are Whitbarrow, Polish Emperor, Ok Pal and Bishops Court. Formerly with Linda Ramsden, the selection showed plenty of promise on his first run for Milton Bradley at Musselburgh last time. With that run under his belt, he can go well from a competitive mark. Polish Emperor improved markedly on the all-weather during the winter, winning a valuable Wolverhampton handicap along the way, and, fit from that winter campaign, he can go well and he is a probable improver on Turf too. Having improved towards the end of the last Turf season, the fairly lightly-raced Ok Pal is one to keep an eye on, while it would be no surprise to see that grand old campaigner Bishops Court run well from his current mark, just like he did first-time-up last season. Lafi's strike rate is impressive for a sprinter and he ended last season by winning a valuable Ascot handicap, but he has yet to race over five furlongs, while Cd Europe has yet to win at five furlongs and neither has Native Title. Caribbean Coral is just a pound higher than for a Newcastle soft-ground win in June and, having finished ninth in this last year, can be given a chance, but Whistler and Matty Tun will need career-best efforts in order to come out on top. Dragon Flyer, too, will have supporters and is fit from the all-weather but, for today, we give the vote to Cape Royal.
Lafi (IRE) 6-1fav Held up, headway 2f out, led far side group 1f out, ran on well, won at Ascot 6f hcp 0-110 (B) frm in Jun beating Coconut Penang by 1 1/2l, 29 ran.
Dragon Flyer (IRE) 16-1 Chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on same pace, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Dancing Mystery at Lingfield 5f stk (B1) pol in Mar.
Caribbean Coral 9-2fav Always towards rear, 9th of 13, 7l behind Matty Tun at Doncaster 5f hcp (C1) sft in Oct.
Bishops Court 20-1 In touch, ridden 2f out, no impression after, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Matty Tun at Doncaster 5f hcp (C1) sft in Oct.
Whistler 16-1 Behind, pushed along 2f out, ridden and kept on under pressure from over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 11, 8l behind The Lord at Musselburgh 5f hcp gs in Mar.
Matty Tun 13-2 In touch, ridden halfway, weakened and hung left final furlong, 8th of 14, 7l behind Quiet Times at Southwell 5f hcp (C1) fbs in Nov.
Cape Royal 11-1 Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 6l behind The Lord at Musselburgh 5f hcp gs in Mar.
Whitbarrow (IRE) 13-2 Held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 3l behind Dancing Mystery at Southwell 5f hcp (C1) fbs in Dec.
Polish Emperor (USA) 10-3fav Led after 1f, ridden 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, all out, won at W'hampton 5f hcp (C1) pol in Feb beating Hidden Dragon by a nk, 11 ran.
Cd Europe (IRE) 14-1 Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, 2nd of 26, 3/4l behind Eisteddfod at Ayr 6f hcp (B1) sft in Sept.
Ok Pal 10-1 Chased leader, ridden well over 1f out, ran on well to lead inside final furlong, won at Pontefract 5f hcp (D2) gd in Oct beating Corps de Ballet by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Native Title 14-1 In touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 8th of 13, 6l behind Matty Tun at Doncaster 5f hcp (C1) sft in Oct.
