held up, chased leaders over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up, headway approaching 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
led, headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, soon weakened
in touch, weakened over 5f out
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, led over 1f out, edged right, kept on well
Penalties for Hillview Boy and Hunters Belt may make life tough and so narrow preference is for ALVARADO. Howard Johnson's recent form hasn't been great, perhaps due the weather hold-ups earlier in the year. However if this half-brother to Character Building is raring to go after a mini-break then he could prove hard to beat, having shown that he handles this track when second to Hunters Belt on debut, form that is working out well. Tipsy Dara and Surely Blue are both open to improvement after one start apiece, whilst Nick The Dreamer needs to step up significantly but he may be happier on this flatter track. Both of the winners in the line-up, Hillview Boy and Hunters Belt (see selection), won over this course and distance and each is to be respected accordingly. The second from Hillview Boy's race, when the first three were well-clear, has since gone on to be an impressive winner here since, and so the form looks solid. A tricky finale, but Howard Johnson has a good record at the track and it can be further enhanced by Alvarado.
Hillview Boy (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon every chance, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gf in Dec beating Saveiro (11-2) by 1l, 12 ran.
Hunters Belt (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Towards rear, chased leaders over 3f out, ridden and kept on well to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gs in Jan beating Alvarado (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Nick The Dreamer 20-1 (10-11) Held up, never on terms, 7th of 16, 40l behind Stagecoach Pearl (11-1) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gd in Dec.
Surely Blue (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Close up, ran green home bend after 5f, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 45l behind Bellvano (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gd in Feb.
Zero Six Zoo (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Prominent, reminders halfway, driven and weakened over 3f out, 9th of 16, 32l behind Shut The Bar (10-0) at Catterick 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Jan.
Tipsy Dara (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 5f out, 6th of 9, 46l behind Turbo Island (10-2) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Alvarado (IRE) 17-2 (10-7) Held up, smooth headway to lead over 2f out, soon ridden, hung left entering final furlong, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Hunters Belt (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m nhf (5) gs in Jan.
Rimfire (IRE) King Charlemagne gelding out of Miss Senate.
