always in rear, tailed off final 2f
held up in rear, headway on outside 5f out, chased leaders over 3f out, soon hung left and weakened, eased when no chance final furlong
held up, not much room 2f out, keeping on when hampered over 1f out, ridden and rallied inside final furlong, not reached leaders
close up, ridden and hung right from 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge
held up in rear, some headway on outside from 3f out, never reached leaders
close up, challenging from over 3f out, led over 2f out, driven and stayed on strongly final furlong
pulled hard in rear, no progress final 2f
took keen hold, held up in touch, steady headway from 4f out, chased winner 2f out, stayed on, no impression final furlong
behind, pushed along over 2f out, no headway
soon led, pushed along over 3f out, headed over 2f out and weakened rapidly
chased leader until over 2f out, soon one pace, no impression on front pair
The penny looks to have dropped for DEVIL TO PAY and John Dunlop's Red Ransom colt can win again at the main expense of Strathcal and Millharbour. The selection comes here on the back of a Goodwood success where he stayed on strongly to win nicely. That win came off a mark of 67 and a 4lb rise doesn't look to prohibitive so with more improvement to come he is selected to score. Strathcal won last time out as well and Hughie Morrison's runner can go on following that first win as he seems to have appreciated the longer trips as a three-year-old. Highland Storm and Millharbour may both improve on their first starts this season, and of the pair the latter has a more interesting profile. He enters handicaps on a mark of 75 following that final qualifying run two months back and if he gets this longer trip then he could go close. Also to be considered are Richard Hannon's pair, of which the consistent Salybia Bay makes most appeal, whilst there may still be improvement to come from Horseley Warrior and Haljafera. Another tricky three-year-old handicap and the tentative vote goes to Devil To Pay.
Horsley Warrior 9-4fav (8-10) Mid-division, pushed along and headway over 8f out, soon prominent, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Ostaadi (8-10) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stks (4) fbs in May.
Millharbour (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden, no impression over 1f out, kept on to take 4th final furlong, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 9l behind Popmurphy (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Haljaferia (UAE) 8-1 (9-3) Always rear division, 9th of 12, 32l behind Antigua Sunrise (8-10) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in May.
Herschel (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Took keen hold, tracked leader, ridden and still pressing leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 4l behind Forte Dei Marmi (8-8) at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Highland Storm 16-1 (8-11) Started slowly, in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on, not trouble leaders over 1f out, 4th of 15, 8l behind Rumble Of Thunder (9-0) at Bath 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in May.
Strathcal 9-2 (9-4) Prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, driven clear final furlong, won at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May beating Salybia Bay (9-4) by 4l, 11 ran.
Diamond Twister (USA) 20-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along on inside 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, no danger, 5th of 13, 9l behind Itlaaq (8-8) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
Devil To Pay 13-8fav (9-2) Mid-division, not clear run 3f out, soon ridden, good progress over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May beating Breadstick (9-4) by 1l, 14 ran.
Perception (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) In touch to 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 15, 15l behind Rumble Of Thunder (9-0) at Bath 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in May.
Granski (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Held up, ridden 3f out, headway from 2f out, weakened 1f out, 11th of 13, 10l behind Global (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Salybia Bay 5-2fav (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Strathcal (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
