raced keenly, held up towards rear, smooth headway over 2f out, led 2f out, stayed on strongly
slowly into stride, soon mid-division on inside, good headway chasing leaders over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in last pair, good headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up and always towards rear, never on terms
soon led, headed over 3f out, hung left and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders on inside, slightly lost place 6f out, pushed along and rallied chasing leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out
switched left and dropped in rear after start, good headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden disputing close 2nd over 1f out, soon every chance, no extra towards finish
held up towards rear, kept on final furlong, never nearer
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders went 2nd over 1f out, strong challenge close home, just failed
tracked leader after 1f, led over 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon hung left and weakened
led briefly, settled 3rd after 1f, weakening when hampered inside final 2f
tracked leaders on outside, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
pulled hard in mid-division, rapid headway on outside chasing leaders over 6f out, went 2nd 3f out, every chance 2f out, hung left and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, never involved
NonRunner
A wide-open renewal of a handicap that has thrown up some smart performers in recent years. Last year’s winner, Communique, is trained by Mark Johnston who runs both The Trader and recent Bath winner Sky Defender – the former ran well on his first try over this trip at Chelmsford. Roger Charlton has trained the winner in three of the last eight years but Headman disappointed here on his return to action. Riviera Nights may be the pick of Richard Hannon’s pair as Ritchie Valens was easily beaten by Forest Of Dean at Doncaster and then finished behind The Trader at Chelmsford. Forest Of Dean ran Solid Stone to a neck at Newcastle last year but is 2lb worse off with Sir Michael Stoute's colt who looks sure to get involved having made a winning reappearance ahead of War Tiger at Newmarket. Maiden winners Majestic Dawn and Sinjaari are both interesting but GOOD BIRTHDAY won here last year and still looked inexperienced when scoring over this trip at Doncaster in March. He’s up another 8lb but definitely looks one to follow.
Headman 9-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, close up until steadied back after 2f, in touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, 6th of 9, 13 1/2l behind King Ottokar (9-2) at Newbury 1m 2f stks (3) sft in Apr.
Forest Of Dean 7-4fav (9-7) Slowly into stride, driven forward and soon prominent, led over 2f out, ran on strongly, won at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Ritchie Valens (8-12) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.
The Trader (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and hung right over 1f out, hung back left entering final furlong, headed and not pace of winner final 150 yards, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Fox Premier (8-2) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in May.
Mackaar (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) Raced wide in touch, pushed along and headway 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 7 1/4l behind Cape Of Good Hope (9-1) at Epsom 1m 2f lst (1) gd in Apr.
War Tiger (USA) 3-1 (8-12) Prominent, led after 2f, headed approaching final furlong, rallied closing stages, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Solid Stone (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Solid Stone (IRE) 9-4fav (8-11) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, hard driven, stayed on, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Apr beating War Tiger (8-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Riviera Nights 12-1 (9-5) Disputed lead until led after 2f, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Name The Wind (9-2) at Kempton 1m stks (2) pol in Apr.
Good Birthday (IRE) 7-2 (9-6) Dwelt in rear, headway on outer entering final 2f, led approaching final furlong, edged right and ran green, ran on, won at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in Mar beating Red Bond (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Majestic Dawn (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Made all, ridden and well in command when edged left over 1f out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Newbury 1m 3f mdn stks (3) gs in Apr beating Pianissimo (9-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
Sinjaari (IRE) 11-10fav (8-11) Tracked leaders on inside, challenged over 1f out, led entering final furlong, soon quickened clear, stayed on well, won at Windsor 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gd in Apr beating Global Heat (8-11) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Dubai Instinct 7-1 (9-5) Pressed leader, led after 2f, driven over 2f out, drew clear inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Nottingham 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Apr beating First In Line (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Sky Defender 11-8fav (9-7) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at Bath 1m 2f hcp (4) fm in May beating Entertaining (9-1) by 2l, 5 ran.
Korcho 15-2 (8-12) Chased leading trio, stayed on between horses inside final furlong, led towards finish, won at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Albert Finney (9-2) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ritchie Valens (IRE) 9-2 (8-2) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 2f out until ridden and hung right over 1f out, 3rd and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Fox Premier (8-2) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in May.
Htilominlo 7-2 (9-4) Held up in 6th, headway on outside over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong and closed, just held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Takumi (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in May.
Target Zone 7-1 (9-2) Keen prominent, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 7, 4 3/4l behind Name The Wind (9-2) at Kempton 1m stks (2) pol in Apr.
