soon pushed along to lead, headed halfway, driven along 5f out, lost 2nd 4f out, soon lost touch, tailed off
took keen hold early, soon settled in 5th, pushed along over 4f out, soon lost touch, tailed off
led early, tracked leaders, headway on inside to 2nd 4f out, led briefly 2f out, soon hung left but still every chance until outstayed inside final furlong
close up, headway to 3rd over 3f out, challenged 2f out, soon led and hung left, hard driven and stayed on to assert inside final furlong to
pulled hard, pulled way up to join leader 8f out, led before halfway, driven aong 3f out, soon edged left, headed 2f out, no extra over 1f out
held up last, plugged on final 2f, no chance with leading trio
Il Portico is the only one in this field with recent winning form in this handicap but having finished well ahead of Mick Channon's runner last time the vote has to go to MEETINGS MAN with Emeralds Spirit having outside claims. A literal reading of a meeting between the pick and Il Portico reads very well for the selection. He was over 14 lengths clear of his nearest rival and while the handicapper has reduced his mark 4lbs Il Portico is down just the one. That can be explained by the fact the selection has won a race but if both run up to the same form there can be only one winner. It could be that Il Portico ran too bad to be true that day and really should have done better after being raised 5lbs for success at Wolverhampton. Emeralds Spirit ran a solid race on his return and in this company a similar effort might be enough while Decimus Meridius is unexposed and wouldn't have to improve much to win this. This is a race that certainly won't take much winning and on a straight forward form reading that winner should be Meetings Man.
Major Pop (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Slowly away, in rear, not troubled leaders, last of 6, 10l behind Sparkling Smile (9-0) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Decimus Meridius (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Mid-division, switched left 2f out, ridden and no impression, weakened final furlong, 8th of 9, 9l behind Think Its All Over (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sep.
Il Portico 3-1fav (8-9) Raced wide, held up, improved to 4th 8f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 28l behind Cornish Beau (8-12) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
Meetings Man (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) In rear, ridden over 3f out, wide and headway over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 7l behind Cornish Beau (8-12) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
Emeralds Spirit (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 19l behind Buzz Bird (8-9) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Apr.
Lady Pacha 50-1 (9-0) In touch, lost place over 2f out, last of 7, 43l behind Jacqueline Quest (9-0) at Chester 7f 2yo stks (4) gf in Sep.
