tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, took 2nd place near finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd when no extra near finish
held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, kept on well, always in command
in rear, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
A seven furlong handicap to open the meeting and hopefully HAATHEQ can get us off to a good start ahead of Faithful One and Suited And Booted. The selection competed in some of last years top maidens and acquitted himself with great credit in each run. He returned to the track 23 days ago on his handicap debut and won very nicely. With normal progression expected he should take all the beating on a course and distance he likes. Faithful One may give the selection most to think about. David Lanigan's filly ran has a similar profile to that of the selection after she contested some hot fillies maidens last year. She too ran well in all and has since scored in handicap company. She must now carry top weight and may struggle to give four lbs to John Dunlop's colt. Suited And Booted represents a top yard in form but lacks the form compared to the above two. Avenueandalleyways and State Gathering are two others to note but Haatheq gets the vote
Faithful One (IRE) 11-4 (8-7) Chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, pushed along and quickened inside final furlong to lead final 100 yards, comfortably, won at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Apr beating Count Of Anjou (8-12) by 1l, 13 ran.
Call To Arms (IRE) 13-8fav (9-4) Raced wide, tracked leaders, pushed along after 2f, gradually lost place from halfway, eased and pulled up over 1f out, in a race won by Knightfire (8-9) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr, 12 ran.
Avenuesnalleyways (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 1f out, soon faded, 5th of 8, 13l behind Ransom Note (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
State Gathering 50-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 8, 2l behind Balducci (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 3yo mdn (4) gd in Apr.
Best Trip (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Prominent stands side, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 11l behind Love Delta (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Haatheq (USA) 7-2 (9-4) Held up in touch, headway halfway, led over 2f out, ran on well, won at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr beating Jimmy The Poacher (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Ferris Wheel (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride and early reminders, always behind, 8th of 9, 15l behind Ventura Cove (9-0) at Thirsk 6f 3yo stk 0-75 (5) gd.
Sir Bruno (FR) 12-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden and effort 2f out, stayed on until one pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 6l behind Agony And Ecstasy (9-3) at Chepstow 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Suited And Booted (IRE) 6-4fav (9-1) Tracked leading pair, challenged on bit over 2f out, led well over 1f out, ridden and pressed over 1f out, stayed on well to assert final 100 yards, won at Windsor 1m mdn auc stks (5) sft beating Peponi (10-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
