mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, eased
soon led, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, 2nd halfway, struggling over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always prominent, driven to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon switched to far rail, ran on well
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always in rear, soon pushed along, never dangerous, tailed off, eased
chased leaders, under pressure over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, eased
mid-division, headway over 2f out, no impression
behind, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, kept on well, never able to challenge
NonRunner
These three-year-old handicaps are difficult to decipher at this time of year and Richard Fahey complicates matters by saddling three. Indomeneo proved a tough juvenile last season and conditions won’t be a problem but he lacks the scope of some of his rivals and has been done no favours by a wide draw. Mark Johnston’s Book of Dreams has fared better in that respect and the Chelmsford winner makes more appeal than stablemate and top weight Ventura Knight. Newmarket raider Breaking Records arrives off the back of a decent run at Chelmsford and is making his handicap debut but AYUTTHAYA and Fake News are also unexposed. The latter won a shade cosily at Wolverhampton three weeks ago but the former has the better form on Turf and will be suited by the sharp track here.
Ventura Knight (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Gronkowski (9-5) at Kempton 1m stks (2) pol in Mar.
Miss Bar Beach (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) In touch, headway 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Hikmaa (9-0) at Newbury 7f lst fll stks (1) sft in Oct.
Chookie Dunedin 50-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 20th of 22, 15 3/4l behind Laugh A Minute (8-12) at Doncaster 7f stks (2) gs in Sep.
Ayutthaya (IRE) 10-11fav (9-2) Went right start, made all, hard ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Chester 7f stks (4) hvy in Sep beating Zatorius (9-2) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Book of Dreams (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Led, ridden and pressed over 1f out, just held on close home, won at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Mar beating Sir Hamilton (9-10) by shd, 5 ran.
Joe's Spirit (IRE) 13-8fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, unable to quicken and lost two places inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 2 3/4l behind Windsor Cross (8-8) at Newcastle 7f hcp (3) pol in Jan.
Indomeneo 5-2fav (9-2) Pressed leader, led over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Leicester 7f stks (2) sft in Oct beating Cuban Heel (9-0) by 1l, 8 ran.
Breaking Records (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Held up, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Jazirat (9-2) at Chelmsford City 7f stks (5) pol in Mar.
Hard Graft 3-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Southwell 7f hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Going Native (8-11) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Shuhood (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, ridden in 3rd over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Book of Dreams (9-6) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Chingachgook 3-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, no extra inside final furlong, last of 4, 8 1/4l behind Ode To Autumn (9-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Fake News 8-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, pushed along 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, readily, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (4) pol in Mar beating Rastacap (9-3) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
