reluctant to canter to start, refused to race and took no part
chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up, travelling well when not clear run and switched right just inside final 2f, not clear run again and switched left to inside rail entering final furlong, finished well after, not reached leaders
broke well, soon restrained and held up in rear, good headway on outside over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, finished well
chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
dwelt, soon recovered and narrow lead, pushed along and headed over 1f out, weakened
soon pushed along towards rear, making headway when not much room over 1f out, squeezed through and ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
held up on outside, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed along and in command final furlong, comfortably
soon outpaced
chased leaders, lost place halfway, switched right and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, winner gone
with leaders on rail, weakening when not much room entering final furlong
soon well outpaced
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, hanging right over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, behind most of way
chased leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Nonrunner
SANDS CROONER was a very easy scorer at Warwick last time and with a favourable low draw, James Given's gelding is taken to defy a 6lb penalty and follow up, while Todber and Spic 'n Span can also go very well. The draw bias has changed here over recent seasons, with low numbers having the better of it in big fields over the minimum trip, and of the leading lights Sands Crooner has the best pitch from stall six. It won't be a cakewalk given his extra burden today, but with a sound surface still evident he looks up to it. Todber landed a couple of minor handicaps in the late summer before going well from the same mark as today's at Nottingham last month. Conditions suit and he should be bang there. The same applies to Spin 'n Spac, who won a Southwell handicap in March and has since run well on three further outings at the same track. His record on turf is not red hot, however, so we are happy enough to take him on. Bluebok has previously mastered this track, and would want fast ground to produce his best, while his mark also looks a little prohibitive. A 2lb drop will help Step It Up, who has been admirably consistent and is again capable of taking home some prize money. A market check is advised for many of these and in a race that won't be on any end of season compilations Sands Crooner is the pick.
Sands Crooner (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Soon tracking leaders, pulled out right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, pushed clear towards finish, won at Warwick 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fm beating Make My Dream (9-7) by 4l, 17 ran.
Bluebok 8-1 (9-1) Led, ridden 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Tyrannosaurus Rex (9-0) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fm.
Cosmic Destiny (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Held up, headway on inside over 2f out, hard ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Drifting Gold (9-4) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Step It Up (IRE) 5-2 (8-13) Chased leader on inside, effort over 1f out, kept on, not quite pace to challenge inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Don Pele (9-2) at Lingfield 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Pic Up Sticks 17-2 (9-0) Started slowly, held up in rear, headway on inside 2f out, not troubled leaders and weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 5l behind Desert Opal (9-2) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Spic 'n Span 11-2 (8-11) Led, soon clear, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Calmdownmate (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Brandywell Boy (IRE) 11-1 (8-9) In touch, outpaced halfway, rallied approaching final furlong, soon one pace, 7th of 11, 4l behind Tyrannosaurus Rex (9-0) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fm.
Peopleton Brook 12-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, behind, short lived effort on inside over 1f out, 6th of 7, 6l behind Orpen's Art (8-7) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) fm.
Brazilian Brush (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Outpaced in main group, keeping on when slightly hampered inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 9l behind The Magic Blanket (8-10) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Miss Firefly 16-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 12th of 16, 8l behind Kyllachy Storm (8-11) at Bath 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Maggie Kate 14-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, one pace final furlong, 8th of 16, 6l behind Kyllachy Storm (8-11) at Bath 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Pegasus Dancer (FR) 20-1 (8-10) Chased leaders for 3f, 13th of 16, 9l behind Kyllachy Storm (8-11) at Bath 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Sofinella (IRE) 11-1 (8-0) Chased leaders, led inside final 2f, soon ridden, headed and faded final 100 yards, 6th of 16, 5l behind Kyllachy Storm (8-11) at Bath 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Wicksy Creek 50-1 (8-8) With leader until weakened over 2f out, last of 7, 12l behind Harry Up (9-12) at Wolverhampton 5f clm stks (6) pol.
Ramblin Bob 16-1 (8-7) Always in rear, last of 10, 18l behind Mr Skipiton (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
Solemn 50-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 13, 7l behind Admiral Bond (9-0) at Southwell 5f mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec.
Todber 10-1 (9-4) Raced far side, slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden 2f out, squeezed through, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 15, 1 1/4l behind Raccoon (9-3) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr.
Calabaza 12-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 11l behind Super Frank (8-10) at Folkestone 6f app hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Apr.
