held up, switched left and headway over 2f out, ran on well to lead entering final furlong, ridden clear comfortably
chased leaders until saddle slipped over 2f out, soon eased
chased leaders, headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure to go 2nd well inside final furlong
tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra
led, headed 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace
chased leaders, ridden and chance entering final furlong, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, lost place 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
reared leaving stall, behind and soon pushed along, never able to challenge
The top two in the handicap Winthorpe and Musical Fair have been in good form recently and look the two to concentrate on here with narrow preference for the latter, who should appreciate the return to the minimum trip. The selection has won three of her last six starts and has gone up 25lbs in the process but could still be ahead of the handicapper if judged by her last time out second to Danehill Stroller here over six furlongs, when not getting the clearest of runs approaching the distance and beaten a short head at the line. All of her winning form is at the minimum trip and the drop back to five furlongs should suit the daughter of Piccolo, who has only been raised 2lbs since her latest start. John Quinn's Winthorpe has won his last two starts, at Hamilton and Bath, in good fashion and may still be well treated but this looks tougher and, having been put up another 5lbs, he has more to do. Karl Burke's Playtime Blues, another last time out winner having scored at Kempton last month, is another to consider along with the handicap debutant Maddie's A Jem, who is difficult to access. Bahamian Belle has claims on running behind the selection at Catterick last month and is another to consider but we are happy to side with his conqueror Musical Fair, who has obvious claims.
