mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on well
towards rear, headway from over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no extra final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon drifted left, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway from over 1f out, nearest finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
This is an intersting and tight heat, with the vote going to Major Magpie ahead of Ballyhurry and Mystic Man. Mystic Man seems to have improved on the all-weather of late and could go well back on Turf, while Royal Dignitary is back to a winning mark from last August, so has to be considered. Sawwaah is always capable of turning up in this type of company. Major Magpie showed improved form last time when winning at Pontefract and has to be considered under his penalty. Being six pounds better off with Royal Dignitary based on form of last August, Defi can be fancied, even though his form levels have dipped of late. Brace Of Doves is just a pound above a winning mark from Chester last August. Ballyhurry is also edging back towards a winning mark, and he is a course and distance winner, while Cordage keeps threatening to be better than his rating but still has something to prove overall. Finally, Play The Ball has to be given some tought on his Turf debut. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Major Magpie.
Mystic Man (FR) 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders over 4f, 12th of 16, 14l behind Glad Big (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcap (4) pol in Apr.
Royal Dignitary (USA) 40-1 (8-9) Towards rear, never dangerous, 14th of 16, 17l behind Dabbers Ridge (9-7) at Thirsk 7f hcap (3) gd in Apr.
Sawwaah (IRE) 11-1 (8-9) Held up, keen, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 8th of 14, 5l behind Phluke (8-10) at Southwell 7f hcap (4) gd in Apr.
Play The Ball (USA) 16-1 (9-2) Prominent early, settled in mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Parkview Love (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcap (5) pol in Apr.
Major Magpie (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Held up, headway and switched right approaching final furlong, ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr beating Topatoo (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Defi (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 4th of 13, 2l behind Jakarmi (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Brace of Doves 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong and then weakened, 10th of 12, 7l behind Alchemist Master (8-8) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Oct.
Ballyhurry (USA) 12-1 (8-5) Behind, outpaced 4f out, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on, never nearer, 4th of 12, 7l behind Baylaw Star (9-3) at Musselburgh 7f hcap (4) gf in Apr.
Cordage (IRE) 50-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Jakarmi (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
