mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on gamely final furlong to lead close home
prominent, ridden and every chance over 3f out, weakened 2f
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong, no chance with leading pair
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong
tracked leaders until lost place quickly 4f out
tracked leaders, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead over 1f out, kept on until headed close home
behind, ridden over 3f out, some late headway final furlong when hampered inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on until one pace final furlong
slowly into stride and soon mid-division, ridden over 4f out, headway and every chance over 3f out, soon weakened
always towards rear
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
Defi lost no caste in defeat when chasing home Networker in a handicap over the same course and distance last week and gets the vote to go one better here with the main threats looking to be Just James and Ballyhurry. The last mentioned has his first outing on the level since October but does come here fit from hurdling and cannot be discounted with conditions to suit. Quicks The Word has been running consistently but needs to improve to trouble the selection, while Slavonic belied market odds at Carlisle last time and would have claims if able to build on that effort. Neil's Legacy has given little cause for optimism of late and of more interest may be the David Nicholls-trained Just James who is better than he showed at Musselburgh last time. Defi has the pick of recent form though and is taken to make the most of the drop in grade.
Ballyhurry (USA) 8-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden and headway on outside over 2f out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Climate (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol in Oct.
Defi (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Networker (9-1) at Hamilton 1m hcap (5) gf.
Ho Pang Yau 25-1 (8-11) Behind, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 9th of 15, 12l behind Top Jaro (9-6) at Carlisle 1m clm (6) gd.
Jordans Spark 22-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f, 10th of 12, 10l behind Bijou Dan (9-3) at Ayr 1m 1f hcap (6) gd in May.
Just James 3-1 (9-10) In touch, effort over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 39l behind Baylaw Star (9-12) at Musselburgh 7f clm (6) gd in May.
Quicks The Word 9-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Coalite (8-10) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-50 (6) gd in May.
Slavonic (USA) 50-1 (9-2) Led,, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Top Jaro (9-6) at Carlisle 1m clm (6) gd.
Neil's Legacy (IRE) 7-1 (8-1) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 16, 6l behind Best Of The Lot (8-13) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcap (6) gs.