raced wide, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, soon headed, lost 2nd near finish
keen towards rear, ridden entering final furlong, stayed on, not trouble leaders
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied to go 2nd near finish
towards rear, ridden halfway, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold. close up, pushed along and not handle bend 2f out, no impression final furlong
always in rear, ridden halfway, never a factor
keen, tracked leading pair, effort entering final furlong, led well inside final furlong, ran on, readily
The hat-trick seeking Primrose Valley edges this at the weights but the return to the minimum trip may not be ideal and SQUATS makes more appeal with a recent outing at Chelmsford under his belt. The dual 5f winner needs to reverse latest running with the winner Merdon Castle, Lightscameraction and Rita's Boy but may well do so and he also has the beating of Miss Mullberry on last year's form at Ayr. Ivor's Rebel continued his good progress when making all for an easy win over track and trip last time and looks a real threat with any further improvement.
Ivors Rebel 5-2 (8-9) Made all, ridden clear entering final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Lingfield 5f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jan beating Red Stripes (8-2) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Lightscameraction (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Outpaced in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never a threat, 4th of 8, 2l behind Merdon Castle (9-3) at Chelmsford City 5f cond stks (2) pol.
Merdon Castle (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, hard driven, all out, won at Chelmsford City 5f cond stks (2) pol beating Apache Storm (8-12) by nk, 8 ran.
Rita's Boy (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) In touch, effort over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Merdon Castle (9-3) at Chelmsford City 5f cond stks (2) pol.
Squats (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) In touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to callenge when hampered inside final furlong, never a threat, 6th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Merdon Castle (9-3) at Chelmsford City 5f cond stks (2) pol.
Miss Mullberry 12-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Accipiter (8-12) at Ayr 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Sep.
Primrose Valley 6-4fav (9-5) Tracked leader, effort to lead inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (3) pol beating Anonymous John (9-7) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.