held up in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, every chance entering final furlong, no extra inside
broke well, soon tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead inside final furlong, soon headed, no extra
held up, ridden halfway, switched left, good headway to lead inside final furlong
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed and soon weakened inside final furlong
Highland Song, Welcome Approach and Toy Top are the three to consider here, with preference for Toy Top. A winner on his debut over the course and distance as a two-year-old, Highland Song has been well backed each time he has run this season. He has run respectably on each occasion and, on a track he likes, looks sure to go well again. Welcome Approach is another course and distance winner, and although his form tailed off towards the end of last season, those runs were on soft ground and he prefers a faster surface as he has here. His run on his reappearance was encouraging, denied a clear run, he stayed on to finish a close fourth and he too can go close. After knocking on the door twice with two seconds this season, Toy Top made it third-time lucky with a convincing three-length success at Catterick last Wednesday to lose her maiden tag. She has a six pound penaty to shoulder, but is in good form and will enjoy the fast ground. Toy Top is taken to come out on top.
Howards Prince 12-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, every chance over 1f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 7l behind Sandwith (8-11) at Musselburgh 5f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Toy Top (USA) 11-8fav (9-4) With leaders, led halfway, stayed on well, won at Catterick 5f 3yo hcp (6) frm in Apr beating Soviet Legend (8-7) by 3l, 10 ran.
Highland Song (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden halfway, edged left over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Terentia (8-13) at Haydock 5f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Welcome Approach 6-1 (8-11) In touch, effort when not clear run over 1f out, switched right, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 11, 4l behind Sandwith (8-11) at Musselburgh 5f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Hypnosis 25-1 (8-12) Led far side group until ridden and headed by far side group over 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 14l behind Damika (9-0) at Newcastle 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Compton Lad 66-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 8l behind Mimiteh (8-6) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sept.