slowly into stride, soon in touch, weakened over 1f out
in touch, pushed along 4f out, headway to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden to lead 2f out, hard driven final furlong, stayed on well
held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened inside final 2f
held up in last pair, pushed along 4f out, effort on outside to chase leaders 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
bustled along, soon led, ridden, looked reluctant, headed 3f out, gradually weakened
tracked leaders until weakened over 3f out
tracked leader, led 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in last pair, ridden, weakened 2f out
Sian Thomas,Papeete and Donastrela are three against the field in this competitive handicap and the tentative vote is given to Papeete. The selection was a fair fourth behind Cantrip last time out. That horse has since ran well in a better race and off the same mark here she is taken to score. Sian Thomas rates the main danger on her latest second behind Come What July but although she travels well in her races she often finds little off the bridle and for that reason is passed over on this occasion. Donastrela was a fair second behind Shastye last time out and is another with place claims but she looks in the handicappers grip at present. Of the remainder Nantucket Sound has dropped to a handy mark and should be noted in the market especially as the step up in trip looks sure to suit. This is a trappy affair but something has to win and for the winner we return to Papeete.
Tulipa (POL) 15-2 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 2 furlong out, ran on inside final furlong to lead post, won at Newmarket 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (5) gf in May deadheating with Come What July (10-1), 14 ran.
All Star (GER) 5th of 8, 14l behind Nureus (9-2) at Hamburg 1m 4f 3yo lst stk sft in Jul '03.
Sian Thomas 2-1fav (8-13) Held up, headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, soon edged left, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Come What July (9-12) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp (5) pol.
Donastrela (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) Held up in mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, nk behind Shastye (9-4) at Chepstow 1m 4f fll hcp (5) gf in May.
Mumbling (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Held up, headway and in touch 5f out, ridden and not quicken 4f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 14, 5l behind Turnstile (9-9) at Kempton 1m 6f hcp (5) gd in May.
Nantucket Sound (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, joined winner over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 10l behind Factual Lad (10-0) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (5) gf.
Papeete (GER) 7-1 (8-9) Pulled hard, prominent, slightly outpaced 3f out, stayed on again final furlong, 4th of 11, 1l behind Cantrip (8-4) at Bath 1m 5f fll hcp (5) frm in May.
French Mannequin (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden 7f out, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 14th of 20, 30l behind Heart Springs (8-5) at Bath 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in May.
Successor 40-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden and weakened 3f out, eased over 1f out, last of 8, 40l behind Snowed Under (9-0) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in May.