mid-division, headway 3f out, edged right and led over 1f out, ran on well
held up in last pair, ridden and headway 2f out, edged right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to trouble leaders
prominent, not much room on inside over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, soon hampered
held up towards rear, not clear run over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
led, headed well over 2f out, beaten over 1f out, not much room when weakening inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, ridden to challenge well over 1f out, soon edged right, faded inside final furlong
in touch, not much room 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, headway over 4f out, every chance well over 1f out, soon edged right, beaten when hampered inside final furlong
in touch, raced keenly, progress to lead well over 2f out, edged right well over 1f out, soon headed, remained challenging, lost 2nd post
chased leader, every chance 3f out, edged right over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in last pair, not clear run over 2f out, plenty to do when headway 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on strongly, not reach winner
held up towards rear, not clear run over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong but no danger
prominent, squeezed out and lost ground just inside 3f out, soon ridden, switched left 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong without troubling leaders
The drop in class looks sure to suit top-weight Drumfire however further down the handicap there are some interesting rivals including DONA ALBA who has some solid handicap form from this season; Royal Destination and Bravely Fought, two hat-trick seekers, are considered as big dangers. The selection is trained by Arundel master John Dunlop and he loves to have winners here. This filly drops back in trip today which looks sure to suit and a repeat of her Epsom third to Duncan in April would be enough to see her go close here. Royal Destination has flourished as a four-year-old and he is open to more improvement as he steps up in trip, whilst Dark Prospect is not the easiest of rides and he has struggled to make a real impact in some average races this year. Sweet Lightning shaped well in defeat at York last time and is considered a big player, although a mile and a half would suit more, whilst Charminamix is rated 84 and that could be a lenient mark for Irish legend Tony Martin. William Blake ran well in defeat last time out at Ascot but his mark leaves no room for manoeuvring, although he has a great racing weight here today. Australia Day would be a big threat if getting an easy lead but that looks unlikely, Bravely Fought is progressing well and has improved for the step up to this trip, whilst Alfathaa, Lang Shining and Blythe Knight bring a touch of class to the contest. Not the easiest way to start the week, but we will side with the filly Dona Alba to land the spoils.
Drumfire (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Held up, headway 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 8l behind Doctor Fremantle (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f stks (1) gd.
Alfathaa 7-1 (9-8) Held up in rear, not clear run briefly well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 16, 4l behind Acrostic (9-0) at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gd.
Moyenne Corniche 11-1 (8-9) Led, ridden over 1f out, soon edged right, headed inside final furlong, staying on when short of room near finish, 3rd of 5, 1l behind Dream Lodge (8-9) at Doncaster 1m stks (3) gs.
Lang Shining (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Raced wide, held up mid-division, headway on outside from 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 4th of 17, 3l behind City Of The Kings (9-5) at York 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Blythe Knight (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 14th of 16, 15l behind Acrostic (9-0) at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gd.
Australia Day (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, led over 7f out, ridden and stayed on well from 2f out, strongly pressed 1f out, unable to quicken final 100 yards, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Fanjura (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Bravely Fought (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Mid-division, 5th 3f out, headway to lead 1f out, kept on, won at Fairyhouse 1m 2f hcp 0-100 gd beating Kitty Hawk Miss (9-4) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Unbreak My Heart (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no danger, 7th of 18, 13l behind Sirvino (8-8) at York 1m 2f hcap (2) gd.
Dona Alba (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, every chance 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 13l behind Red Merlin (8-13) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May.
Royal Destination (IRE) 3-1fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, led just over 1f out, soon driven, ran on well, won at Ayr 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Cobo Bay (9-9) by 1l, 11 ran.
Dark Prospect 4-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, soon outpaced by winner, hung right inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Hollins (8-10) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Sweet Lightning 10-1 (8-6) Soon chasing leaders, tracked leading pair 3f out, driven and pressing leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 18, 11l behind Sirvino (8-8) at York 1m 2f hcap (2) gd.
Charminamix (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, headway in 10th 2f out, ridden into 7th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 9l behind Changingoftheguard (8-7) at Down Royal 1m 5f hcp 3yo+ gf in Jun.
William Blake 5-1 (8-9) Chased winner, strong challenge and upsides from 2f out, still every chance final 1f, until found no extra and held final 100 yards, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Fanjura (9-7) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gd.
