in touch, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, led over 1f out, soon edged left, kept on strongly
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous
led, headed over 2f out, kept on and always well held by winner, lost 2nd place towards finish
with leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner
dwelt, soon chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear, chased leaders after 3f, weakened over 1f out
behind, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on and no impression
The new novice stakes races have made life tough for those carrying penalties according to recent research. There are three such penalised horses here but while Assimile and Rockies Spirit may struggle under the extra 4lb, FIRST CONTACT (NAP) makes considerable appeal. The Godolphin gelding made a pleasing winning debut before failing by only a short head to concede 7lb to the well-touted Walk In The Sun at Kempton, with a decent field strung out behind. There is every reason to suspect he'll prove as effective on Turf and can regain the winning thread here. Ashlar and Prevent are newcomers of note,with Brisk Tempo and Stealth having shown enough to get involved.
Assimile (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Chased leaders on inside, went 2nd over 2f out, led entering final 2f, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at Southwell 7f stks (5) pol in Feb beating Silchester (9-4) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
First Contact (IRE) 7-4 (9-9) Headway from wide draw to lead after 1f, ridden and strongly pressed inside final furlong, kept on gamely but headed final stride, 2nd of 14, shd behind Walk In The Sun (9-2) at Kempton 7f stks (5) pol in Jan.
Rockies Spirit 4-1 (9-13) Pushed along in rear, some headway over 1f out, never on terms, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Rock On Baileys (9-2) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Ashlar Mayson colt out of Jillolini.
Brisk Tempo (FR) 13-2 (9-2) In touch, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Line House (8-11) at Newcastle 7f stks (6) pol in Oct.
Gabriel's Oboe (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 6l behind Trumps Up (9-9) at Thirsk 1m stks (6) gf in Sep.
Pacific Fleet (USA) 9-4jfav (8-9) Soon led, headed 3f out, lost place over 2f out, 6th of 9, 15 3/4l behind Silchester (8-9) at Southwell 1m stks (5) pol in Feb.
Prevent Poet's Voice gelding out of Emergency.
Robsdelight (IRE) Harbour Watch gelding out of Silca Boo.
Rolladice Bated Breath gelding out of Selkirk Sky.
Safrani (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, soon weakened, 15th of 17, 29l behind Dream Today (9-5) at York 7f mdn stks (2) gd in Aug.
Stealth 7-2fav (9-5) Led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Poet's Prince (9-7) at Southwell 1m hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Tilghman (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) In rear, chased winner final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Danzan (9-10) at Chelmsford City 6f stks (4) pol in Feb.