handy far side, led going well 2f out, clear final furlong, ran on well
held up near side, struggling over 1f out, late headway for 3rd
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, headway between rivals to go 2nd approaching final furlong, kept on well, never on terms
chased leader near side, pushed along and weakened 2f out
awkward start, held up, pushed along 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
prominent, pushed along and made no impression 2f out, plugged on
Street Life did win here in 2021 but seems best at Wolverhampton nowadays. Birkenhead won off this mark at York last year and arrives off the back of a victory at Southwell. Dandy Dinmont is rarely beaten far but 7lb claimer Olivia Tubbs has ridden three winners from just 10 rides so far this year and she teams up with SO SMART, who has been dropped 2lb since his third at Nottingham and will enjoy this much quicker surface. Manila Scouse was only beaten a neck at Ripon returning from an absence and should strip fitter today and a case can also be made for Ascot third Rum Cocktail.
Swayze 9-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden along over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 15, 10 1/4l behind Bernardo O'Reilly (8-11) at Newbury 6f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Manila Scouse 7-1 (9-11) In touch, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, chased winner inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 6, nk behind Reigning Profit (9-7) at Ripon 5f hcp (5) sft in May.
Catch Cunningham (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Fly-jumped start and lost several lengths start, pushed along 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, kept on one pace near finish, 8th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Great State (9-3) at Thirsk 5f hcp (3) sft in May.
Dandy Dinmont (IRE) 7-2 (9-8) In touch, ridden and headway entering final 2f, stayed on one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 3l behind The Dunkirk Lads (8-11) at Beverley 5f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
So Smart (IRE) 13-2 (9-8) Hampered start and bumped, chased centre leader, ridden to lead overall over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Showalong (8-10) at Nottingham 5f hcp (4) sft in May.
Birkenhead 15-2 (9-9) Made most, shaken up 2f out, ridden along and edged left over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Southwell 5f hcp (6) pol in May beating Yimou (9-8) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Street Life 4-1 (9-8) Chased leader, pressed for lead over 1f out, soon led, driven final furlong, all out when headed final 110yds, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind You're Cool (8-11) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in May.
Rum Cocktail 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on but always held, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Spoof (9-9) at Ascot 5f hcp (4) gd in May.