tracked leaders, headway to lead inside final furlong, ridden and ran on(hand time )
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
ponied to start, rider removed hood late dwelt and hampered start, in rear, pushed along over 1f out, ridden and ran on, nearest finish
pulled hard pressed leader, ridden to lead when edged left approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, no extra
led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened
awkwardly away and went left start, in rear, never a factor
in touch, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
ROYAL BRAVE was unable to get remotely competitive in an ultra-competitive York sprint at the Dante meting but is much better than that. Rebecca Bastiman's stable stalwart has an excellent record at this track and will find this company far more agreeable than that faced on the Knavesmire. As usual, he'll need the gaps to fall his way but is expected to deliver a solid account. Paddy Power is another far better than his latest run and is a key player if back to his best, although the suspicion remains that he's better over six than five when conditions are quick. Oriental Lilly enjoyed a splendid winter campaign but has yet to confirm she's as good on grass. Merhoob and Economic Crisis top and tail the handicap and both should run well in a competitive sprint handicap.
Merhoob (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon not much room and switched right, switched left inside final furlong, ran on to press winner, just held, 2nd of 9, hd behind Summerghand (9-0) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Royal Brave (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Always in rear centre, last of 18, 9 1/4l behind El Astronaute (9-4) at York 5f hcp (2) gf in May.
Paddy Power (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Reared badly start and rider removed hood late slowly away, in rear, never a factor, 7th of 10, 6l behind Reputation (9-8) at Ripon 6f hcp (4) gd in May.
Signore Piccolo 12-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, no impression, 5th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Sheepscar Lad (9-3) at Doncaster 5f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Landing Night (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, every chance when hung left inside final furlong, kept on well, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Tanasoq (9-3) at Thirsk 5f hcp (4) gf in May.
Tallinski (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Acclaim The Nation (8-8) at Thirsk 5f hcp (4) gf in May.
Oriental Lilly 9-1 (8-8) Close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Tanasoq (9-1) at Ayr 5f hcp (3) gf in May.
War Whisper (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Acclaim The Nation (8-8) at Thirsk 5f hcp (4) gf in May.
Economic Crisis (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Taken to post early, tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Maid In India (9-11) at Thirsk 5f hcp fll (5) gf in May.
Sfumato 5-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Dapper Man (8-9) at Hamilton 5f hcp (5) gf in May.
