tracked leader until over 5f out, prominent, chased winner from 2f out until weakened over 1f out
headway to track leaders over 8f out, went 2nd over 5f out, led over 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, stayed on well
held up in last pair, pushed along, held right and not clear run from 3f out, no impression
in touch, pushed along 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
led at steady pace, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
held up last pair, driven along 4f out, headway under pressure on wide outside over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd just inside final furlong, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
Our shortlist here consists of Public Forum, Pagan Sword, Bronwen and Ball Boy, with the vote going to Pagan Sword. The selection comes here on the back of a narrow Salisbury win over 10 furlongs, for which he has been raised just three pounds. He seemed to idle in front there and, given that the handicapper's reaction has hardly been excessive, this progressive colt looks set to go well again. Restoration and Jamaaron have something to find with him based on that Salisbury run. It is difficult to assess Public Forum's heavy ground Nottingham win over a mile on his only racecourse start, but he is in the right hands to progress this year, while Bronwen battled gamely to land a Musselburgh maiden last time and her mark of 73 has probably understated her ability. Mayadeen needs to step up on his nine-furlong seasonal return to play a leading part today, while a six-pound rise for a Chepstow win makes life tougher for Neutrino. Ball Boy's run behind Saadigg and Quizzene at Beverley last time has since been boosted by the latter's win from a five-pound higher mark, so he is afforded plenty of respect, and Alessano has been performing creditably without winning so far this season. However, for the winner we return to Pagan Sword.
Restoration (FR) 7-2 (9-4) Reluctant leader, headed after 1f, tracked leader after, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out, tailed off, 6th of 8, 19l behind Pagan Sword (8-7) at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gs.
Public Forum 9-4 (8-8) Dwelt, tracked leaders, ridden to lead entering final furlong, soon edged right, ran on, won at Nottingham 1m nov stk (D3) hvy in Oct beating Miss L'Augeval (9-0) by a nk, 5 ran.
Pagan Sword 4-1 (8-7) Held up mid-division, headway 2f out, led narrowly on inside rail just over 1f out, ran on well, all out, won at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gs beating Rosecliff (8-6) by a nk, 8 ran.
Bronwen (IRE) 11-4 (8-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, led close home, won at Musselburgh 1m 1f mdn stk (5) gd in Apr beating Smooth Jazz (8-9) by a nk, 6 ran.
Ball Boy 7-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon tracked winner, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Saadigg (9-4) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Alessano 7-1 (9-1) Mid-division, driven 4f out, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed and unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 1l behind Hawk Arrow (8-8) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Jamaaron 20-1 (8-6) In touch on outer, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, soon beaten, tailed off, 7th of 8, 22l behind Pagan Sword (8-7) at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gs.
Mayadeen (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway 3f out, not clear run 2f out, no impression after, 10th of 17, 16l behind Glen Ida (9-4) at Kempton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Neutrino 7-2fav (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway from 2f out, led just over 1f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, won at Chepstow 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gs beating Arthurs Dream (9-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Aylmer Road (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Led at steady pace, quickened 4f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Reaching Out (9-0) at Brighton 1m 2f stk (5) gf in Apr.
