held up in rear, headway and switched left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
held up, switched right over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, not quicken when not much room well inside final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on
chased winner, ridden and every chance over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
in touch, switched left over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, ran on
Withdrawn
Hartshead, Machinist and Bow Wave are three against the field in this open affair and the vote is given to Hartshead. The selection ran well at Thirsk last time when a close third behind Serieux. He was flying at the finish that day and he did not get a clear run through. Granted a bit of luck-in-running today he should take plenty of beating. Machinist was a fair fourth in a handicap at Thirsk last time behind Mr Malarkey. He is clearly a leading player in this company but like our selection he is not ideally drawn and he will need some luck to make the frame. Bow Wave has only had one run but he couldn't have done anymore than he did when winning over today's course and distance when beating Westlake Bond. This is a more difficult race but is unexposed and has to be respected. Outer Hebrides is in good form and looks the best of the remainder but for the winner we return to the in-form Hartshead.
Desert Dreamer (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) In touch on outer, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 15, 6l behind Stage Secret (9-2) at Goodwood 7f hcp (4) gf.
Divine Spirit 8-1 (9-4) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, outpaced when not much room over 1f out, last of 11, 15l behind Whinhill House (9-3) at Carlisle 5f hcp (4) frm.
Hartshead 9-2 (9-3) Held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Serieux (9-3) at Thirsk 7f stk 0-80 (4) gd.
Machinist (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 1l behind Mr Malarkey (8-12) at Thirsk 6f hcp (3) gf.
Molcon (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) Always towards rear and outpaced, 10th of 11, 26l behind Seneschal (8-2) at Doncaster 7f 3yo app hcp (E2) sft in Oct.
Outer Hebrides 7-2jt-fav (9-10) Slowly away, held up towards rear, smooth headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Doncaster 6f clm (5) gs beating Blue Tomato (9-10) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Bow Wave 11-1 (9-0) Dwelt and behind, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Doncaster 6f 2yo mdn (D3) gs in Nov beating Westlake Bond (8-9) by 2l, 21 ran.
Monkstown Road 16-1 (9-0) Pushed along to chase leaders, ridden and weakened 1f out, 7th of 13, 10l behind Kenmore (9-0) at Nottingham 6f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr.