led until headed 3f out, chased winner until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased when no chance final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, pushed along well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led narrowly 3f out, headed 2f out, chased winner until over 1f out, rallied to well held 2nd near finish
dwelt, soon tracked leaders on inside, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furloing
raced wide, held up in touch, headway on outside 4f out, tracked leaders 3f out, led 2f out, came well clear final furlong, easily
slowly into stride, held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden on outside 2f out, no impression
held up in touch, headway and hung left over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd near finish
Mr Hichens is on a decent run of form but we just take a chance on Mark Johnston's OPUS MAXIMUS in a tight looking handicap while Effigy has every chance on his return if fit enough. Although he hasn't got his head in front for a while the pick was running some decent races last term. He looked in need of his reappearance effort and off this mark he should be going close. Mr Hichens has followed back-to-back victories with two third place finishes. He only just missed out the last time and he should go well again with only a 1lb added to his load for that result. Effigy makes a seasonal debut here but he does go well fresh. Some of his form suggests he should be able to get up under this burden but he has a bit to prove after his last effort. Mr Udagawa races from 4lbs out of the weights but on the pick of his form looks to have a chance while Jesse James will have a bit to find racing from this weight. A really open looking handicap but you rule out Mark Johnston at your peril so we side with his Opus Maximus.
Jesse James (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon chasing winner until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 8l behind Harrison George (9-4) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Opus Maximus (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, ridden 3f out no impression, until stayed on final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Snow Bay (8-9) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Apr.
Swift Chap 11-1 (8-4) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, pushed along 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 8, 9l behind Mabait (8-12) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Effigy 9-2fav (9-1) Sweating, took keen hold in touch, headway 2f out, driven and no impression over 1f out, 6th of 14, 5l behind Cape Hawk (9-0) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Mr Hichens 8-1 (8-13) In touch, not clear well over 1f out, switched right to rail, strong run inside final furlong, finished well, edged left near finish, 3rd of 13, 1/2l behind Tudor Key (9-3) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
Millfields Dreams 16-1 (10-10) Behind, hampered 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Halsion Chancer (10-12) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Mr Udagawa 14-1 (10-9) Towards rear, not clear run over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Halsion Chancer (10-12) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Bomber Command (USA) 25-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, led 2f out, headed well over 1f out, still pressing leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind South Cape (9-4) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
