tracked leader, ridden to lead over 3f out, narrowly headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out
led, ridden, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
tracked leaders, hampered after 3f, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, close 3rd when badly hampered near finish, not recover
held up towards rear, hampered after 3f, headway over 4f out, not clear run 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong
in touch, hampered after 3f, ridden, effort 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, not clear run over 2f out until over 1f out, soon switched left, stayed on final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 4f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, soon one pace
towards rear, driven along from halfway, stayed on final 2f, never a danger
held up towards rear, hampered after 3f, ridden, brief effort over 3f out
dwelt badly, always tailed off
held up towards rear, headway, not clear run over 2f out, tracking leaders and not clear run on rails over 1f out, soon switched left, stayed on to lead inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, drifted right, led 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong
Simonda can get recent losses back, with Deset Island Disc, Lewis Island and Establishment just three dangers in an open handicap. Simonda was sent off as favourite on her return from a seven-month break at Bath three weeks ago, but was fighting a losing battle from the word go as she stumbled out of the stalls and had to play catch-up throughout. In the end she made up the lost ground, but those exertions had taken their toll before Desert Island Disc came through to land the spoils. The latter reopposes on slightly worse terms, and although a credit to connections, we shall oppose her on what will be the mare's 100th appearance on the Flat. Lewis Island returned to form when scoring over fences at Fontwell in April and continued that improvement when scoring over 12 furlongs on the Flat at Bath recently. The ground might be softer than ideal for him, but he should be there or thereabouts. Establishment beat Theatre narrowly in this race 12 months ago, but it has now been upgraded to class 3 and both have a tougher assignment. Pretty Star has topweight but the stable is in form, while the market should be monitored as regards the northern raiders Double Obsession and Hue. With the Amanda Perrett stable in good form over the past week, we return to Simonda as the answer.
Pretty Star (GER) 12-1 (8-8) Held up, reminders after 3f, headway 3f out, soon ridden, no impression, 4th of 8, 8l behind Tartouche (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcap (2) sft.
Simonda 5-2fav (9-4) Stumbled, soon tracking leaders, ridden 3f out, hung left, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Desert Island Disc (8-1) at Bath 1m 4f fll hcp (4) gf.
Double Obsession 40-1 (9-12) Led, headed well over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Numero Due (9-4) at Thirsk 2m hcap (4) gd.
Salute (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Prominent, lost place over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Maystock (8-10) at Warwick 1m 7f hcap (4) gf.
Establishment 9-4fav (9-8) Held up, headway over 3f out, stayed on final 2f but not trouble leaders, 4th of 14, 6l behind Velvet Heights (9-2) at Kempton 2m hcap (4) pol in Apr.
Reggae Rhythm (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Held up, plenty to do and wide straight, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Monte Cristo (9-3) at Lingfield 2m app hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Desert Island Disc 8-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed from over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 5l behind Maystock (8-10) at Warwick 1m 7f hcap (4) gf.
Theatre (USA) 6-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3l behind The Nawab (8-12) at Goodwood 2m hcp (4) gf in Sept.
Global Challenge (IRE) 14-1 (9-12) Held up, always towards rear, 7th of 11, 18l behind Trew Style (9-0) at Folkestone 1m 7f hcap (5) gf in Apr.
Lewis Island (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, driven, stayed on final 2f, led near finish, won at Bath 1m 4f hcap (6) gs beating Sabbiosa (9-4) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Ocean of Storms (IRE) 50-1 (7-13) Held up, behind ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 6, 5l behind Ebtikaar (9-10) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcap (2) frm.
Hue 33-1 (8-9) Held up, headway from 3f out, ridden and one pace when hung right well over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Numero Due (9-4) at Thirsk 2m hcap (4) gd.
San Hernando 4-1fav (8-13) In touch, ridden and outpaced final 2f, 7th of 13, 6l behind Paradise Flight (8-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp (E3) pol in Jan '05.
