squeezed out soon after start, towards rear, not clear run over 2f out, ran on well to go 2nd close home, not reached winner
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakening when jinked right 1f out
never better than mid-division
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon wandered under pressure, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, close up when hampered on rails, well over 1f out, never on terms after
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden to go 2nd briefly 1f out, kept on
led for 1f, stayed prominent, led again over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
soon outpaced, always towards rear
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, ran on strongly to lead inside final furlong, ridden out
The short list contains Blushing Thief, Gavarnie Beau and Laith, with the vote going to Blushing Thief. Taking it from the top and a five-pounds rise for a narrow Nottingham win shows how much progress the lightly-raced Dark Missile is making and, despite this being his all-weather debut, he cannot be dismissed. Ocean Of Dreams has been at his best so far on Wolverhampton's all-weather and is not far above a winning mark, while Stoneacre Boy remains six pounds above his juvenile winning mark although he ran well at Lingfield last time and the extra furlong could help the cause today. Blushing Thief is three pounds above his course and distance winning mark and returns to this surface following a Turf defeat. He has to be considered. Laith has the ability to win from his current mark, no doubt about it, and he could improve on his all-weather debut today. Gavarnie Beau has won his last two, both on Turf, but races from a six-pounds lower mark on the all-weather. You cannot rule him out. Finally, Marriage Value will have to be revved up by blinkers in order to play a meaningful part, Woodnook is another potential improver on the all-weather, the handicapper has had his say now with Peter Island, Saxon Saint has dropped back to a more realistic mark now based on juvenile form, and Xaluna Bay is not out of things based on a fair Windsor second last time. Overall, though, we will side with Blushing Thief.
Dark Missile 14-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, challenging when carried left inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Glenviews Youngone (8-4) at Nottingham 5f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Ocean of Dreams (FR) 20-1 (9-3) Led far side pair, ridden over 1f out, no chance with stands side, 9th of 13, 11l behind Mr Sandicliffe (9-5) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Stoneacre Boy (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 9, 2l behind The Jobber (9-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in May.
Blushing Thief (USA) 8-1 (8-4) Raced centre, always in rear, edged left final furlong, 15th of 16, 15l behind Ingleby Arch (8-11) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Gavarnie Beau (IRE) 7-2 (9-10) Held up in touch, improved 2f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, all out, won at Leicester 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs in May beating The History Man (8-8) by a shd, 8 ran.
Woodnook 9-2 (8-12) In touch, not much room over 1f out, soon faded, 9th of 12, 8l behind Ripples Maid (9-2) at Newmarket 6f 3yo fll hcp (4) gs in May.
Peter Island (FR) 14-1 (8-13) Chased leaders stands side, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 5l behind Mr Sandicliffe (9-5) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Xaluna Bay (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) In touch, effort to chase winner 2f out, strong challenge final furlong, just held, 2nd of 13, nk behind Catspraddle (9-4) at Windsor 6f 3yo fll hcp (5) gf.
