held up in rear, switched right and headway 2f out, ridden to challenge entering final furlong, not quicken final 100 yards
tracked leaders, lost place, eased and ran wide bend 3f out, tailed off
prominent, ridden over 1f out, not quicken, soon beaten
held up towards rear, switched left over 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon ridden and every chance, ran on
took keen hold, made all, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed on both sides, kept on gamely
held up, raced keenly, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, not quicken over 1f out, stayed on
soon pressing winner, ridden 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
tracked leaders, raced keenly, ridden to challenge well over 1f out, not quicken well inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to press leaders over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
Plenty of in-form horses in the race and from a shortlist of Rowan Tiger, King's Song and MY NAME IS FRANCO, it is the last-named who is given the vote. Pete Hedger's gelding has won his last four starts, and as a result he has risen by 25 lbs in the handicap. Jockey Dane O'Neill knows him well and because of his style of racing (tends to swoop late), the handicapper may not have him in his grip just yet. Donaldson is handicapped to win and has scored here before, Dreamwalk is consistent but as a result he looks just averagely handicapped, whilst It's A Date is racing off his last winning mark and is considered accordingly. Encircled represents a yard in great form, Sherman McCoy has a good record in the early parts of the season, whilst Bavarica should appreciate the drop in grade this evening. Curacao was in poor form when last seen and he is likely to find this trip too short, so a bigger threat may be Rowan Tiger who was in great form when seen in the autumn and a 5lb higher mark looks manageable. King's Song is also an interesting contender, as he is far from exposed and is one from one on the all-weather. His fourth when last seen at Newbury in September was no disgrace and he should run well off a tasty racing weight. Franco Is My Name is still progressive and is fancied to complete the five-timer.
Franco Is My Name 5-4fav (9-6) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, driven and stayed on well inside final furlong to lead final 100 yards, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb beating Whodunit (8-7) by 1 3/4l, 14 ran.
Dreamwalk (IRE) 5-2fav (9-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd after about 2f, ridden over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Turjuman (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) std in Mar.
It's A Date 17-2 (9-9) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 13l behind Oasis Knight (8-7) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Aug.
Encircled 4-1 (9-5) Held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hard ridden, weakened well inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Kames Park (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Sherman McCoy 3-1 (8-13) In touch, pushed along 5f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 19l behind Dazinski (9-2) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Bavarica 33-1 (8-11) Soon in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 10l behind Buxted (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) pol in Mar.
Curacao 4-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, edged left under pressure over 2f out, rider dropped whip over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Dazinski (9-2) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Rowan Tiger 11-4fav (8-9) Held up in mid-division, headway to track leading pair 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, soon pressed, stayed on gamely to assert final 100 yards, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct beating Wind Flow (8-8) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
King's Song (IRE) 3-1fav (8-3) Chased leaders, pushed up to challenge over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, not pace of leaders, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind The Which Doctor (9-8) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Donaldson (GER) 12-1 (9-6) Tracked winner and clear 9f out, ridden and ever chance 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Jeer (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
