held at rear, progress 3f out, stayed on
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and chased leader over 1f out, ran on
prominent, ridden to chase leader 3f out, weakening when hampered final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well to chase winner inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out
in rear, tailed off final 2f
stumbled and unseated rider soon after start
towards rear, headway on outside over 4f out, soon chasing leaders and weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, never a factor
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, never a danger
led, ridden 3f out, weakened when headed over 1f out
mid-division, steady headway 4f out, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, hung badly left inside final furlong but kept on
The shortlist here consists of Cantrip, Frontlinefinancier, Persian Genie, Surface To Air and Most-Saucy, with the vote going to Cantrip. If she handles the step up in trip, Cantrip is a threat to all here and, in a race where there are many question marks and indifferent form attached to many of these, might be worth taking a chance on. One thing is for sure, Frontlinefinancier will not be stopping at the finish and improved for the step up in trip to score at Bath last time. Persian Genie showed improvement when second in that race, and is now three pounds better off for two-and-a-half lengths based on that effort, and Surface To Air, who was third, is three pounds better off for three lengths. Stolen Song has a chance based on last summer's form over 12 furlongs, and Dance Light, who showed a little more sparkle last time, is well-weighted on 2002 form. Saintly Thoughts holds claims on his all-weather form, while 12-furlong form of last summer gives Most-Saucy a chance. Finally, Nantucket Sound came back to form last time and, although unproven at today's trip, could conceivably be well-weighted if taking to it. Overall, though, we will take a chance on Cantrip.
Nantucket Sound (USA) 16-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon ridden and chased leaders, stayed on but no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Wizard Looking (9-7) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp (6) frm in Jun.
Frontlinefinancier 12-1 (9-2) Keen and always prominent, headway to lead 2f out, kept on well, won at Bath 2m 1f hcp (6) gf in Jun beating Persian Genie (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 18 ran.
Cantrip 9-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, kept on until headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Empangeni (8-0) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Saintly Thoughts (USA) 7-1 (8-7) Mid-division until 3f out, 8th of 13, 13l behind French Mannequin (8-10) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp (F4) pol in Mar.
Lysander's Quest (IRE) 9-2fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Nina Fontenail (9-0) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Surface To Air 33-1 (9-1) Held up rear, headway well over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 18, 3l behind Frontlinefinancier (9-2) at Bath 2m 1f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Persian Genie (IRE) 7-1fav (9-1) In touch, headway 3f out, chased winner and every chance 2f out, no extra final furlong, 2nd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Frontlinefinancier (9-2) at Bath 2m 1f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Iamback 5-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 7f out to 2f out, kept on same pace after, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Nina Fontenail (9-0) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
