slowly away, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
slowly into stride, pulled hard, soon mid-division, ridden and effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
keen held up, ridden and headway 2f out, soon hung left, kept on, no chance with winner
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
held up, always in rear
held up in rear, ridden and stayed on final furlong, never nearer
tracked leader 1of out, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in touch, always going well, chased leader over 1f out, led 1f out, quickened clear
led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra
keen tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, once pace from over 1f out
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
The shortlisted three are Eastborough, Western Roots and Young Mick, with the vote going to the last-named. Just three pounds above a winning mark, Young Mick has been enjoying a good run at mainly shorter trips than 12 furlongs in recent months, but he proved with his latest win that it holds no fears for him. He should go well. Even though he is four pounds above a winning mark, Western Roots has been running quite well from slightly higher marks than today and has also proven that he can win going right-handed. And, given that Eastborough is just two pounds above a winning mark from the summer and has shown that he can go well from his current rating, he is not ruled out of a good run. A lot of the others have question marks against them in terms of effectiveness from their current ratings or about today's trip so best of the rest might prove to be Street Life, who is now three pounds below a winning mark and who ran well over today's trip at Lingfield in February, so has something to offer in the way of recent form. Overall, though, we are happy to stick with Young Mick.
Eastborough (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) In rear, headway over 1f out, finished well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 14, 5l behind Prins Willem (9-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Zalkani (IRE) 7-2 (8-6) Behind, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer, 4th of 7, 3l behind Mina A Salem (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 60-92 (4) pol.
Love Angel (USA) 5-1 (8-4) Chased leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 10, 14l behind Strudel (8-12) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Western Roots 9-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Jakarmi (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
The Composer 28-1 (8-3) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 16, 10l behind Rawdon (9-4) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (4) gs in Sept.
Young Mick 11-4fav (9-0) In touch, ridden over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Augustine (8-12) by 1l, 12 ran.
Amwell Brave 14-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, headway 4f out, every chance from 2f out, ran on final furlong, 2nd of 10, hd behind Eloquent Knight (8-11) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Sand Repeal (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 8l behind Young Mick (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
