tracked leaders, led well over 2f out, soon headed, rallied approaching final furlong, no extra closing stages
held up in rear, never a factor
always behind
in touch, under pressure over 2f out, soon no impression
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened over 1f out
started very slowly, detached early, headway over 2f out, never on terms
with leader, every chance when rider dropped whip 3f out, soon lost place
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, led over 2f out, strongly challenged throughout final furlong, headed post
led, soon pressed, headed well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on under pressure, never a threat
mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leader over 1f out, every chance throughout final furlong, stayed on gamely to lead post
NonRunner
French Mix landed a double under today’s rider over longer trips on the all-weather in January and has her first start since. Rakematiz has a shout dropping back down in distance with Simon Walker on board while Edge is also partnered by a leading amateur and it would be no surprise to see a better effort from him. Mama Africa’s recent success came over a mile at Southwell while Ban Shoof ended last year with a victory over 1m2f on the all-weather but BALMORAL CASTLE makes most appeal. He returned to action with a third in better company at Windsor last month and the veteran still looks capable of scoring off his current mark.
French Mix (USA) 5-2fav (11-2) Led 2f, remained prominent, led again over 1f out, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Party Royal (10-3) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.
Balmoral Castle 33-1 (9-2) Soon held up towards rear, good headway on outside chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden and stayed on same pace in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Simoon (9-6) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in May.
Bakht A Rawan (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Tracked winner 4f, chased leaders, ridden and weakened inside final 4f, tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Fresh Terms (9-2) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Guvenor's Choice (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, hard driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 7, 13 1/4l behind Maulesden May (9-2) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in May.
Grandscape 10-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway into modest 4th inside final furlong, never a threat, 4th of 8, 10 1/4l behind Houlton (9-6) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Dutch Uncle 20-1 (9-6) Steadied start, held up in rear, no impression, 10th of 13, 8 3/4l behind King's Advice (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Mama Africa (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Always prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, stayed on, won at Southwell 1m stks (6) pol in May beating Mister Music (10-0) by nk, 6 ran.
Ban Shoof 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, headway entering final furlong, ridden to challenge winner when bumped and carried sharply right towards finish (awarded 1st), 2nd of 11, hd behind Settle Petal (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Anif (IRE) 11-4 (9-1) Pressed leader, led over 2f out, soon headed, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Ocala (9-7) at Chepstow 1m hcp (5) gf in May.
Majestic Moon (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Balgair (9-9) at Yarmouth 1m hcp (4) gd in May.
Edge (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway from over 4f out, went 4th and edged left over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Banksy's Art (9-2) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in May.
Gloweth 7-2fav (9-12) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 7th of 12, 5 3/4l behind Freckles (9-12) at Bath 1m hcp (6) gf in May.
Rakematiz 4-1 (9-10) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Sotomayor (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Mar.