held up, ridden over 2f out, effort 1f out, never dangerous
led, pushed along over 2f out, headed over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in touch, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, kept on same pace
always prominent, led over 1f out, soon edged right, ran on well
held up in touch, weakened 2f out
with leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
held up, ridden 2f out, never near leaders
prominent and keen, lost place over 2f out
held up in rear, headway on inside when hampered over 1f out, never able to challenge
held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, never going pace to challenge
steadied start, held up and took keen hold, headway on outside halfway, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
A tricky race in which Parnassian, Phred, Best Before and Oh Boy can all be given chances, but we will side with J R Stevenson. There is no doubt that J R Stevenson is well handicapped based on his Newmarket win of July 2002, and he suggested he was coming to hand over course and distance last time out when staying on to finish sixth. With Kieren Fallon booked to ride this time, we are taking that as a positive sign. Parnassian is rated just three pounds higher than for his Nottingham apprentice maiden handicap win in May and might still be improving. He ran modestly at Goodwood last time, but we are prepared to forgive any horse a bad run there. Have Some Fun is hard to assess based on three all-weather maiden runs. Fortune Point has won from a higher mark on Turf and, having been running mainly on the all-weather of late, might go well back on grass. Phred is five pounds better off for the three lengths he was beaten by Best Before at Windsor in June. Given that they both come here in good heart, they have to be fancied, and Phred, it has to be said, is weighted to get back to winning ways. Duelling Banjos is also on a winning mark but each of his Turf wins has been gained with give in the going and Oh Boy has been raised four pounds for his recent course and distance win and should go well again. Crail looked to be coming to hand last time, although the jury is out as to whether he is well handicapped and he is closely weighted with Sri Diamond based on Sandown form on good to soft on June 1. Te Queiro has never won on Turf but Certain Justice is also well weighted based on his winning Newmarket form and the handicapper is starting to relent with him now. Once again, then, in a competitive race, we will stick with the Fallon factor and side with J R Stevenson.
