The three-year-old Bellini Star is not without a chance against his older rivals but has yet to prove that he handles ground as soft as this and a better bet looks to be Midnight Lace, who is preferred to Welsh Whisper. The selection has an obvious chance judged by official BHB ratings and, being by Tomba, should relish the underfoot conditions. Castanza is another that is bred to handle the ground and, not surprisingly, her only success has come in a soft-ground Lingfield maiden. She makes more appeal than Rock Of Cloonavery, who has yet to win a race and was well held in a selling handicap last time. Desert Lightning has plenty of soft ground form and is another to consider along with the well-treated Inside Story. Recent Wolverhampton winner Welsh Whisper has been running in banded races but this is not much better and he is another worthy of a mention but Midnight Lace holds solid claims and gets the vote.
Desert Lightning (IRE) 10-3 (8-10) Switched left start, mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Chairman Rick (8-13) at Redcar 6f app clm (6) frm.
Fraternity 14-1 (9-2) Tracked leader until weakened over 2f out, last of 13, 8l behind Major Blade (7-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol.
Inside Story (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 9l behind Mobane Flyer (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 2f clm (6) gs.
Sound That Alarm 11-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, edged right and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 10l behind Grand View (8-8) at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) pol.
Stamford Blue 20-1 (8-2) In touch, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 13, 12l behind Indian Edge (8-8) at Chepstow 1m hcap (6) sft.
Tipsy Lad 25-1 (8-4) Slowly away, always behind, 11th of 12, 19l behind Bee Stinger (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcap (5) pol.
Weet An Haul 50-1 (9-0) Always behind, last of 12, 31l behind Wanna Shout (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Apr '05.
Welsh Whisper 13-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride, detached in rear, smooth headway on inside 2f out, shaken up approaching final furlong, led close home, won at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Apr beating Dexileos (8-12) by a nk, 13 ran.
Zafarshah (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden and no impression final 2f, 7th of 13, 4l behind Mon Petite Amour (8-0) at Brighton 7f sll (6) frm.
Castanza 33-1 (8-11) With leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 14, 25l behind Wodhill Gold (8-11) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs.
Ferrara Flame (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Started slowly, behind, ridden over 3f out, never a factor, 12th of 14, 20l behind Brave Dane (9-8) at Kempton 1m 2f banded stk (7) pol.
Look Here's May 33-1 (9-5) Soon led, headed 5f out, weakened halfway and soon pulled up in race won by Shrine Mountain (9-10) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs, 12 ran.
Lucky Lil 100-1 (8-9) Behind, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on approaching final furlong, 9th of 14, 8l behind Onlytime Will Tell (9-7) at Southwell 7f sll (6) gd in Apr.
Midnight Lace 9-2 (9-3) Behind, driven along over 4f out, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 12l behind Downland (9-8) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol.
Sun of The Glen (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 10th of 13, 26l behind Silsong (8-11) at Southwell 1m mdn clm (7) fbs in Mar.
Tantien 50-1 (8-0) Always behind, 9th of 14, 24l behind Bollin Michael (9-2) at Nottingham 1m app mdn hcp 0-80 (6) sft.
Bellini Star (10-2) won at Jersey 1m hcp beating Kristinor (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Rock Of Cloonavery (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 16, 8l behind Peephole (8-11) at Nottingham 1m 3yo sll hcp (6) sft.
