always behind
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
held up, headway 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
in touch, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, driven out
slowly into stride, behind, stayed on from over 1f out, never dangerous
led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
in touch, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
Spear Thistle gets the confident vote in this handicap with Tawqeet and Mayadeen the pair we fear the most. The selection won well last time at Newbury when beating General Jumbo. That success came on heavy ground but he is probably better on a faster surface and there looks as though there is still plenty more to come from this 3-year-old from the John Gosden yard. Tawqeet is another that won in good style last time at Nottingham when beating Queen's Dancer. That win also came on heavy ground, and he is certainly one to note in the market today. Mayadeen was disappointing at Kempton last time but he would have claims on his previous effort at Bath. Pagan Sword has been in fine form and his latest run can be ignored as he never got a clear run. If he runs up to his best then he is another who could go close, but Spear Thistle looked like one to stay on the right side of last time out and we are happy to put him forward as our idea of the winner.
Market Trend 100-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon weakened, last of 20, 41l behind Virginia Waters (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gf.
Spear Thistle 11-4fav (9-0) Raced centre, made virtually all, hard ridden final furlong, held on well near finish, won at Newbury 1m 2yo mdn (D2) sft in Oct beating General Jumbo (9-0) by a nk, 16 ran.
Mayadeen (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway 3f out, not clear run 2f out, no impression after, 10th of 17, 16l behind Glen Ida (9-4) at Kempton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Sydney Symphony 66-1 (8-11) Held up, pushed along halfway, soon behind, eased final 2f, last of 10, well behind Rocamadour (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 1f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Apr.
Active Asset (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 17, 12l behind Astronomical (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Pagan Sword 2-1fav (8-12) Held up in rear, pushed along, not clear run from 3f out, no impression, 6th of 7, 19l behind Public Forum (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gs.
Byron Bay 10-1 (8-11) Made all, ridden and clear 2f out, stayed on well, won at Hamilton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) gs beating Piccolomini (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Tawqeet (USA) 11-2 (9-0) Held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, joined leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (D3) hvy in Nov beating Queen's Dancer (8-9) by 1l, 15 ran.
Jack The Giant (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Started slowly and went right start, soon prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, last of 9, 23l behind Gypsy King (8-8) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gs.
Spear (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) In touch, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, switched to outer over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Loch Quest (8-9) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Compton Quay 22-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 17, 11l behind Astronomical (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Authenticate 20-1 (8-5) Chased leaders over 3f, last of 15, 10l behind Desert Imp (8-11) at Newbury 7f 3yo fll hcp (4) frm.
Bravemore (USA) 11-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to dispute lead from 3f out until weakened final furlong, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Blue Torpedo (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Nanton (USA) 40-1 (8-4) Behind, driven along over 4f, ridden over 2f, never near to challenge, 5th of 6, 22l behind Im Spartacus (8-7) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gs.
