mid-division, going well when not much room 2f out until ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong
tracked leaders, smooth headway from over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon ridden and weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, bumped when weakening over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway to chase leaders when not much room over 1f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression
always handy, ridden over 1f out, headway to lead inside final furlong, kept on
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon chase leaders, no extra inside final furlong
This looks a competitive handicap and while Sirvino, Royal Amnesty, Wind Shuffle, and Wind Star all have leading chances after winning last time out we marginally prefer the chances of CELTIC CHANGE. The five-year-old gelding was only just denied victory after staying on well at this track over a slightly shorter trip last time. Given the manner of his finish that day in similar condition he should benefit for the extra yardage and his mark was only adversely affected by one pound. Out of those last time out winners Royal Amnesty is probably the best treated after reassessment, up just the four pounds for a comfortably enough success and he should go well over a trip he has scored over seven times in his career. Sirvino, Wind Shuffle and Wind Star may have been given a little too much to do by the assessor with the first mentioned the most likely of the trio to run his race while those hunting value should perhaps look to Bourse after some consistent performances. This should be a tightly run thing with Celtic Change the marginal call.
Royal Amnesty 15-2 (8-13) Steadied start, held up, smooth headway over 2f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar beating Old Romney (8-10) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Wind Star 5-2fav (9-8) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm stks (5) gs in Sep beating Fremen (10-0) by 4 1/2l, 13 ran.
Wind Shuffle (GER) 10-3 (8-8) Led 1f, with leader, left in lead again 4f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Just Bond (8-13) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Cigalas 66-1 (8-11) Steadied start, held up behind, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 11l behind Excusez Moi (9-4) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Celtic Change (IRE) 5-2fav (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 9, shd behind Just Bond (8-13) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Golden Penny 9-1 (8-10) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 11, 16l behind Excusez Moi (9-4) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Casino Night 25-1 (8-0) Always towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 8l behind Billy Dane (8-11) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Sirvino 4-1 (9-0) Held up behind leaders, smooth headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr beating New Beginning (8-12) by 1l, 16 ran.
Bourse (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden along and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 17, 4l behind Jebel Tara (8-12) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.