slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up in 6th, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to modest 3rd inside final furlong
held up in last pair, ridden and struggling over 2f out
took keen hold, headway to chase leaders 8f out, ridden and hung left over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
unruly, unseated rider on way to post and behind stalls, started slowly, green in rear, shaken up and headway over 1f out, stayed on to modest 4th inside final furlong
slowly into stride, took keen hold and soon chased leaders, modest 3rd 2f out, soon struggling
tracked leader, led 3f out, came clear final 2f, very easily
in touch, weakened over 2f out
led at decent pace, ridden and headed 3f out, no chance with winner from 2f out, clear 2nd best
Any support for the 107-rated hurdler Blazing Desert and the bumper winner Chickini would arouse some interest however ACQUAINTED sets a strong standard on her Chester run and is nominated accordingly. Barry Hills targets races at Chester so it was no surprise to see this Shamardal filly run a great race behind Gertrude Bell in the Cheshire Oaks. She only needs to run within 20lbs of that in all likelihood to win this and should prove hard to beat. Cat O' Nine Tails shaped well behind Kronful at Newcastle and is bred to improve with racing, Ocean Club steps up in trip after a break over the winter, whilst Blackmore looks like an interesting contender and needs watching for market support. Chickini won at Kelso on debut but then didn't see the racetrack for some time; she has been given a break since a reappearance run in March and is not discounted given her trainer's record with bumper horses that go flat racing. Street Runner and Tinseltown will both be eligible for handicaps after this run so it looks wise to stick with Acquainted in this finale. [Nic Doggett]
Blazing Desert 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on under pressure from next, no impression, 7th of 8, 21l behind Akarshan (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Street Runner 16-1 (9-11) Mid-division, pushed along 7f out, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 12, 20l behind Shut The Bar (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Tinseltown 10-1 (10-0) Close up in 4th until lost place 7f out, struggling final 3f, 8th of 9, 16l behind Dancing Dude (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Blackmore Rainbow Quest colt out of Waki Music.
Ocean Club 16-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 20l behind Golden Shaheen (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Oct.
Acquainted 8-1 (8-12) Led, ridden inside final 2f, headed over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to press winner inside final furlong, no extra near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Gertrude Bell (8-12) at Chester 1m 3f 3yo lst fll (1) gd.
Brootommitty (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace and no impression final 2f, 5th of 7, 18l behind Harris Tweed (9-3) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Cat O' Nine Tails 12-1 (8-8) Tracked winner, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 7l behind Kronful (8-8) at Newcastle 1m 2f 3yo fll stks (5) gf.
Chickini (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 5f out, chased leaders 3f out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression, 5th of 14, 16l behind Dr Flynn (11-4) at Kelso 2m NH flat (5) gs in Mar.
On The Right Path 40-1 (8-6) Stumbled badly start, in rear, lost touch 4f out, soon tailed off and pulled up, in a race won by Royal Swain (10-0) at Thirsk 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf, 9 ran.
Kalamill (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and no impression entering straight, 10th of 14, 16l behind Musical Rain (7-13) at Roscommon 7f 2yo mdn aut sft in Jul.
Roxy Spirit (IRE) 200-1 (9-0) Always in rear, ridden along from halfway, 11th of 12, 30l behind Flighty Frances (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo mdn fll (5) pol in Apr.
