slowly away, behind, moderate headway final furlong
tracked leaders, not much room and switched left 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up towards rear, steady headway over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, took 2nd near finish
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out
led, ridden and kept on well when strongly pressed from 2f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
chased leader, every chance over 1f out, ridden and unable to quicken inside final furlong
always behind
slowly away, always in rear
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden on outer 3f out, soon beaten
in touch, headway to chase leaders 3f out, weakened final furlong
In the finale, Fregate Island is selected ahead of Nero's Return and The Aldbury Flyer. Neros Return is on a winning mark and, although he was beaten in a claimer last time, he is a course winner and holds clear claims based on the form book. Fregate Island ran respectably at Warwick last time on his first run for nine months and he is fully entitled to build on that and go well. Great View and Pagan Crest have career-high marks to defy, although the latter has won here, while The Aldbury Flyer made a pleasing return for the new season and, lightly raced, should have better to come. Prime Powered is edging back towards a winning Turf mark, while Turner's Touch would need to replicate his best all-weather form if he is to score. Mystic Storm is certainly one to keep an eye on from a local yard, while Eldorado is dropping back towards a winning mark from last summer and holds claims on that basis. Once again, though, the vote goes to Fregate Island.
Nero's Return (IRE) 10-11fav (11-3) Held up behind leaders, pushed along 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on to challenge over 1f out, every chance approaching final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 11, shd behind Court Of Appeal (10-11) at Southwell 1m 4f amt clm s.
Fregate Island (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Tracked clear leader, closed 3f out, every chance when hung right 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Flying Clarets (9-0) at Warwick 1m 3f hcap (4) gf in Apr.
Lemonette (USA) 3-1 (8-2) Tracked leader, ridden to lead narrowly inside final furlong, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 4, nk behind Art Modern (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.
Great View (IRE) 28-1 (8-8) Raced wide in mid-division, ridden on outside 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 14, 11l behind Red Gala (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Pagan Crest 7-1 (8-10) Mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, effort over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong, 12th of 15, 11l behind Speedy Sam (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug.
The Aldbury Flyer 20-1 (9-2) Held up in touch and keen, ridden over 2f out, kept on, 4th of 9, 2l behind Cripsey Brook (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcap (5) gf in Apr.
Prime Powered (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up in last place, effort approaching 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 5l behind Dower House (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr.
Turner's Touch 10-3 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway approaching final furlong, ran on strongly, just failed, 2nd of 7, hd behind Dower House (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr.
Imperial Harry 20-1 (9-1) Led 3f, tracked winner after, ridden and effort 2f out, weakened rapidly over 1f out, 10th of 12, 17l behind Khun John (8-11) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Trans Sonic 11-1 (8-9) Steadied start, in rear, headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not troubled leaders, 6th of 13, 5l behind Sweet Indulgence (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Eldorado 7-1 (9-12) Behind, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Newnham (9-7) at Lingfield 2m app hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Darusso 8-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, not clear run entering final furlong and again inside final furlong on inner, one pace, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Cripsey Brook (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcap (5) gf in Apr.
Mystic Storm 6-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 9l behind Shumookh (8-12) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp (3) gd in Aug.
