showed speed for 2f, soon ridden, behind from halfway
prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
dwelt, soon chasing winner, ridden 2f out, no chance from over 1f out, kept on well for 2nd
in touch, ridden and not quicken halfway, kept on inside final furlong
in touch on outside, effort 2f out, weakened over 1f out
quickly away, made all on rail, drew clear final furlong
Hay Fever may be able to put his racecourse experience to good use and claim the honours in the opener. As ever, the market should help point the way to the chances of the newcomers, of whom Sonhador, Langs Lash, Lucky Punt and Astroleo are four of the more interesting ones although runners from the Channon yard can never be ruled out either. The selection finished a couple of lengths behind Multi Tasker last time but that one had the benefit of a prior run and we're hopeful that the form can be reversed. There were plenty of well touted horses in the line-up so the form could turn out to be reasonable and Eve Johnson-Houghton's runner should be all the better for the run. This trip is a slight concern as he's bred to stay further but he'll be sharper now and Hay Fever is the pick.
Rich Red (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Slowly away, ran green, always behind, 8th of 10, 16l behind Bonnie Charlie (9-3) at Windsor 5f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Sonhador Compton Place colt, half-brother to numerous winners from 5f-1m.
Hay Fever (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, ridden and some progress 2f out, one pace, 7th of 11, 8l behind Mullionmileanhour (9-1) at Kempton 5f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Apr.
Lucky Punt Auction House colt out of winning sprinter Sweet Coincidence.
Astroleo Groom Dancer colt out of a lightly-raced mare.
Tightrope (IRE) Refuse To Bend colt, half-brother to 6f & 1m winner High 'n Dry.
Debbys Boy Bertolini gelding, half-brother to winning sprinter Nala Llab.
Multi Tasker 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Mullionmileanhour (9-1) at Kempton 5f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Apr.
Langs Lash (IRE) Noverre filly out of an unraced mare.
Mazzola 14-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Missile Dodger (8-11) at Bath 5f 2yo mdn auc (6) gd in Apr.