mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
keen early and in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong
held up and keen early, led halfway, ridden over 2f out, kept on well
held up, ridden over 3f out, no impression
led, headed halfway, ridden over 3f out, soon one pace
held up, ridden over 3f out, switched left and kept on final furlong, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out
In the finale, the vote goes to Richtee ahead of Millennium Hall and Golden Measure. Richtee comes into this race on the back of a win, so is in good heart, and that pushes him back to the mark from which he won over course and distance last June. His chance is there for all to see, and further rain would not go amiss, either. Golden Measure showed improved form last time to finish second to Prairie Sun at Catterick, and we expect him to go well again, particularly as the winner has won well since. Any further easing in the going would aid Boris The Spider's chances, while Scurra has at least dropped to a more-realistic mark now since his Ayr win last June and holds place claims. Polish Flame is well handicapped based on course and distance form of two years ago, but it would be a very good effort for him to score following just one run since October of 2003, while Ego Trip should be sharper now after a couple of seasonal runs but will need to settle better than he did at Doncaster last time to play a leading part today. Millennium Hall looks held on form with Richtee based on their Musselburgh runs on May 16th, although he remains on a winning mark and should not be too far away. Overall, though, we will side with Richtee.
Richtee (IRE) 5-2fav (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon edged left, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in May beating Easibet Dot Net (10-0) by 1l, 6 ran.
Ego Trip 14-1 (9-0) Prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra, 5th of 12, 12l behind Feed The Meter (8-3) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in May.
Polish Flame 25-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 15l behind Mungo Jerry (9-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in Apr.
Millennium Hall 10-3 (9-4) Slowly into stride, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 6, 5l behind Richtee (9-11) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in May.
Kalishka (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 12th of 18, 19l behind Queen's Echo (9-7) at Ayr 1m hcp (6) sft in May.
Golden Measure 9-2 (8-11) In touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Prairie Sun (8-1) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp (5) frm in May.
Scurra 8-1 (9-6) In touch, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 6l behind Feed The Meter (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) gd in May.
Boris The Spider 5-1fav (9-10) In touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 16, 9l behind Feed The Meter (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) gd in May.