held up in rear, headway on outside 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
tracked winner to 6f out and again over 3f out until over 2f out, eased when beaten final 2f, tailed off
slowly into stride, soon in touch, reminders 7f out, weakened under pressure from 3f out
always in rear, ridden and struggling final 3f, tailed off
made all and set good pace, driven along from 2f out, held on well final furlong
mid-division, weakened under pressure 3f out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6f out to over 3f out, regained 2nd over 2f out, tried to challenge throughout final furlong, but always held
held up in rear, ridden over 4f out, soon struggling
took keen hold in touch, weakened over 5f out, tailed off final 3f
always in rear, struggling final 3f
pulled hard in mid-division, losing place when hampered over 4f out
chased leaders in 4th, driven along and stayed on one pace final 2f
Joy In The Guild can come out on top in a competitive handicap, with Adage, Prince Des Neiges, Prince Zafonic and General Flumpa all seen as dangers. Joy In The Guild gained her last success over the course-and-distance 12-months ago on admittedly faster ground, and will be all the better for a recent outing at Bath where she finished runner-up to the more fancied Tibouchina. As long as Stuart Kittow's filly copes with the softer ground here, she can go close. Adage opened her account at Wolverhampton the time before last, and handled the soft ground when chasing home Snake Skin at Brighton a month ago, while Prince Des Neiges was a creditable second in testing conditions at Leicester four runs ago. Prince Zafonic showed his best form for sometime when a rather unlucky-in-running second in a ladies' race at Ripon, so has to be included in the list, and Yarmouth third General Flumpa will at least appreciate the step back up in trip. There is plenty to choose from then, with Joy In The Guild getting the nod.
Prince Zafonic 33-1 (10-2) Slowly into stride and behind, effort when not much room and hampered over 4f out, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, held, 2nd of 11, shd behind Gardasee (9-1) at Ripon 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (6) sft.
Prince Des Neiges (FR) 15-2 (8-9) Raced keenly, led, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Cotton Eyed Joe (8-13) at Carlisle 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Adage 7-2 (8-12) Held up, headway 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, hung left and no impression final furlong, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Snake Skin (8-9) at Brighton 1m 4f fll hcp (6) sft in May.
General Flumpa 3-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Desert Hawk (8-9) at Yarmouth 1m 2f app hcp (6) gs.
Joy In The Guild (IRE) 6-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden on inside 2f out, every chance 1f out, no extra, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Tibouchina (9-0) at Bath 1m 4f hcap (6) frm.
Selkirk Grace 10-1 (8-2) In rear, pushed along over 3f out, still plenty to do over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Bob's Your Uncle (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol.
Book of Days (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) Soon tracked leaders, pulled hard, led 8f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 12th of 13, 13l behind Blackmail (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (6) pol.
First Boy (GER) 4-1 (8-12) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon beaten, 12th of 14, 41l behind Diktatorship (8-12) at Southwell 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in May.
