close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 3f out, never near leaders
held up towards rear, good headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear
close up, chased leader over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
chased leader, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and headway 1f out, never nearer
in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, never dangerous
held up, ridden and headway 2f out, went 3rd when ridder dropped whip inside final furlong, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon outpaced by winner
keen, always towards rear
In a race where there is little solid form to talk of, Hessian is given the nod to come out on top. A three time winner on the all-weather over the winter, Hessian has shaped encouragingly recently, not getting a clear run when a staying on second over this course and distance last time. Her ability to act with cut in the ground has to be taken on trust, but she is dropped four pounds here which seems surprising. Oh So Saucy won a little race at Yarmouth last time, and that was a step up on previous efforts. She handles cut in the ground, and though she may be a little high in the weights she can hit the frame in a weak affair. Sylvia's Grove failed to follow up a promising re-appearance effort and is best watched, while Shepherds Warning who has won two of his last three starts on the all-weather should not be discounted despite a lay off. Romantic Verse is another worth considering after winning on her second start but she has been off the track for seven months. Hessian looks the answer to this tricky finale and can carpet her rivals.
Hessian (IRE) 4-1 (8-4) Held up, switched left over 1f out and bumped rival, ran on to have every chance inside final furlong, hung right near finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Farley Star (9-4) at Leicester 7f fll hcp (4) gf in May.
Oh So Saucy 7-1 (9-8) Mid-division, headway 2f out, chased leader approaching final furlong, stayed on to lead final strides, won at Yarmouth 7f stk 0-55 (6) gf in May beating Elusive Dreams (9-5) by a nk, 14 ran.
Sylvias Grove 9-2 (8-12) Held up, ridden and effort on outside 3f out to over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 10l behind We're Delighted (8-12) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
Shepherds Warning (IRE) 11-4 (9-2) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Maybe I Wont (8-6) at W'hampton 7f 3yo clm (6) pol in Feb.
Geordie Girl 28-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 23l behind Dancer's Legacy (9-2) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd in May.
Jessica Wigmo 10-1 (8-3) Mid-division and keen, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 13th of 15, 14l behind Vanadium (8-9) at Salisbury 7f app hcp (5) gd in May.
Romantic Verse 3-1 (8-12) Chased leader, ridden to lead 2f out, kept on, won at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov beating Artistic Light (8-12) by 1l, 8 ran.
Alucica 10-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, ridden 2f out, staying on when slightly hampered over 1f out, 5th of 10, 7l behind A Big Sky Brewing (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Stormburst (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) In rear, headway on inside over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Desperate Dan (10-0) at W'hampton 5f clm (6) pol in Apr.
Bert's Memory 20-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 15, 14l behind Moonstreaker (8-8) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Apr.
Bewdley 66-1 (9-1) Raced wide in touch, riddene and weakened over 4f out, 15th of 16, well behind Fantastic Lass (8-11) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) sft in Apr.
