FRANCISCO BAY never looked like catching the winner when runner-up over course and distance at last week’s meeting but he’ll be sharper for the outing. Ed de Giles’ colt also has plenty of scope for further progress and is preferred to Smeaton. The latter went close in soft going at Hamilton on his penultimate start while Wolverhampton novice winner Robert L'Echelle drops in class after struggling at Bath on his handicap debut. Deebee acts on a soft surface and has the beating of Beechwood Jude on last season’s form at Ayr.
Deebee 13-2 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 13 1/4l behind Battle Of Wills (9-8) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Robert L'Echelle (IRE) 13-2 (8-3) Raced keenly, held up, good headway tracking leaders 9f out, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, soon ridden and behind, tailed off, last of 7, 26 3/4l behind Living Legend (8-13) at Bath 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Flint Hill 17-2 (9-8) Close up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 22 1/4l behind Rowland Ward (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Beechwood Jude (FR) 33-1 (8-10) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 15l behind Just Benjamin (9-1) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jun.
Francisco Bay 50-1 (8-5) In rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Jackamundo (8-11) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Jun.
Smeaton (IRE) 10-3 (9-2) Chased leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 4 3/4l behind Earl Of Harrow (9-9) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jun.
