slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous
slowly into stride, always behind
with leader until ridden and weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, headway and effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, held on well final furlong
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 2f out, soon ridden and one pace
held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up in touch, switched right and effort over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, every chance final furlong, no extra towards finish
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
Kingsdon hinted at a return to form last time out and could be the value call in this handicap for gentlemen riders, with Jake Black and Musical Gift rated as the main dangers. The selection ran his best form when a close third behind Charlie Kennet at Lingfield on Saturday night. He came to hand at around this time last year and this course and distance winner looks the one to be with here with a leading amateur in the plate. Jake Black won here on his penultimate start but he was then very disappointing at Newbury last time. He has obvious claims here but he is a little inconsistent and for that reason we are happy to take him on. Musical Gift ran well last time when fifth behind Zafarshah over 7f at Chepstow, but he is not as effective over this longer trip and he can't be backed with any confidence with doubts surrounding his ability to stay this far. Mister Arjay was a little unlucky at Leicester last time when he was squeezed out at a crucial stage in the race, but Kingsdon has plenty going for him tonight and is taken to score.
Black Falcon (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, always behind, 8th of 13, 13l behind Strong Hand (9-7) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (4) gd.
Mount Vettore 10-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Go Solo (8-13) at Redcar 1m hcp (5) gf.
Kristiansand 50-1 (8-4) Held up behind, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 11, 18l behind Double Vodka (8-10) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in May.
Third Empire 10-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 9l behind Midshipman (10-7) at Haydock 1m hcp (5) gs in May.
Jake Black (IRE) 10-3 (10-11) In touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, 6th of 10, 13l behind Scottish River (11-3) at Newbury 1m 2f amt hcp (5) gf.
Rotuma (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, 6th of 10, 7l behind Snowed Under (9-3) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (5) gf.
Mister Arjay (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden and held when hampered over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 7l behind Snowed Under (9-3) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (5) gf.
Compton Dragon (USA) 8-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, behind, headway on outer over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 18, 1 1/2l behind Lobengula (7-13) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp (5) gs.
Musical Gift 10-1 (9-6) Held up in touch mid-track, headway from 2f out, nearest at finish, 5th of 19, 6l behind Zafarshah (9-10) at Chepstow 7f hcp (6) gs in May.
The Rip 11-2fav (9-6) Held up in touch, ridden and hung left 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 16, 5l behind Wizard Looking (9-1) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (6) gf.
Kingsdon (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) In rear and soon ridden along, stayed on from 1f out, not trouble leaders, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Charlie Kennet (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol.
Bethanys Boy (IRE) 11-1 (9-8) Mid-division, switched left, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 14, 4l behind Golden Spectrum (10-1) at Hamilton 1m sll (5) gd.