held up, pushed along 7th, weakened quickly next
held up in rear, weakened 2 out
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, chased leaders after 3 out, weakened next
in touch, chased leaders 3 out, chased winner next until approaching last, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 2 out, chased winner from last, no impression
chased leader, led 3 out, driven out, kept on well
held up mid-division, weakened from 2 out
Nonrunner
The market should help us with this tricky contest as there is little in the way of good form to go on and we tentatively side with SPECIAL BRANCH AMI ahead of Runaround Sue and Acapulo Bay. The lightly raced selection hasn't been seen since November last year. The four-year-old was taking steps in the right direction and should enjoy this step up in trip. He looked an ordinary sort when last seen but should have trained on and this race should see him make a winning return. Runaround Sue kept on well last time to snatch a remote second and can probably add to her meagre haul here. She is a rather inconsistent and frustrating sort to follow though. Acapulco Boy was the winner of a handicap just three starts ago but has failed to follow up on the promise he'd shown. The form over his last two outings has been poor but amongst this company he should make the frame. A race of poor quality this one and as earlier mentioned the market should reveal some much needed clues but we go with Special Branch Ami.
Acapulco Bay 11-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, shaken up 3 out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 17l behind Picot de Say (11-2) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Carys's Lad 33-1 (11-2) Held up, weakened from 7th, 10th of 13, well behind Fortunate Dave (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Led to 1st, chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 13, 34l behind Fortunate Dave (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Special Branch Ami (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, hard ridden and outpaced by front pair from 3 out, plugged on, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Nino Cochise (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Itzacliche (IRE) 15-2 (11-13) Held up in rear, pushed along after 12th, reminder before 15th, no chance 4 out, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Celtic Boy (11-7) at Southwell 3m hts chs (6) gd in Apr.
Eumene (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened 4 out, 7th of 10, 45l behind Bret Maverick (10-5) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in May.
Thehonourablelady 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, weakened passing omitted 3rd last, 6th of 12, 18l behind Santera (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (0-105) (4) gf in May.
Sycho Fred (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, went 3rd after 10th, never troubled leaders, 4th of 12, 49l behind Babe Heffron (11-11) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in May.
Intersky Music (USA) 9-2 (10-12) Mid-division, blundered 5th, 4th and beaten with unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Best Of The Lot (11-7) at Southwell 2m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in May, 11 ran.
Runaround Sue (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Under pressure in mid-division approaching 3 out, stayed on well between last 2, went poor 2nd post, 2nd of 18, 29l behind Classic Quart (12-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Silver Dagger 66-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, outpaced 8th, headway to chase leaders 5 out, driven and weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 25l behind Ngong Hills (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 5-1fav (11-9) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 19l behind Rapid Return (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in May.
