pressed leader, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place after 1f, ridden over 2f out, soon well held
chased leaders, ridden and close up 2f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
not much room start, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, well behind over 2f out
chased leaders, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon clear, ran on well
held up in rear, headway when not clear run over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, no impression on winner
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, plugged on inside final furlong, never any chance
mid-division, headway over 2f out, pushed along over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon beatem hung left and well held over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on, no impression on winner
Most of these are old rivals and it's just a question of working out whose turn it is today. Bondesire finished ahead of Love Island over 6f at York last time and is only a pound worse off. Magical Macey is back on the same mark as when winning this race 12 months ago but hasn't fired so far this term and David Barron also runs Robot Boy, who beat Red Baron and Singeur at Musselburgh last time. Confessional was only 12th last year but has fallen to a fair mark and looks to have a decent draw, as does penalised Leicester scorer Algar Lad. Burning Thread also carries a penalty but would need to be on a going day to win this. Another Wise Kid and Asian Trader are other recent winners but are upped in grade. BARNET FAIR looked to be coming to hand when sixth in the Epsom Dash last time. Dandy Nicholls' stable has shown signs of life lately and his six-year-old could be the value in a very open handicap now only a pound higher than when landing a similar contest at Ascot last July.
Lover Man (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 12l behind Noble Storm (9-3) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Burning Thread (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Mid-division, driven inside final 2f, headway on outside entering final furlong, ridden and ran on well final 100 yards, led post, won at Ayr 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf beating Bear Behind (9-12) by ns, 9 ran.
Love Island 7-2fav (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Willbeme (8-2) at York 6f flls hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Doc Hay (USA) 20-1 (8-11) Always behind, 8th of 17, 5l behind Demora (8-8) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (4yo+) (2) sft.
Confessional 10-1 (8-11) Mid-division, outpaced over 1f out, no impression, 11th of 17, 6l behind Demora (8-8) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (4yo+) (2) sft.
Robot Boy (IRE) 11-4fav (9-5) Chased leader, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, held on well, won at Musselburgh 5f hcp (3) sft beating Red Baron (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 17 ran.
Barnet Fair 25-1 (8-4) Off the pace in mid-division, headway in centre 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 19, 2l behind Caspian Prince (9-0) at Epsom Downs 5f hcp (2) gd.
Another Wise Kid (IRE) 5-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, running on when edged left well inside final furlong, led close home, won at Redcar 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May beating Avon Breeze (9-4) by nk, 11 ran.
Singeur (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Behind and outpaced, kept on from over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Robot Boy (9-5) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (3) sft.
Asian Trader 8-1 (8-5) Held up mid-division on stands side rail, switched left over 1f out, driven and stayed on well inside final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs beating Judge 'n Jury (9-4) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Red Baron (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 1f out, soon edged left, headed inside final final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Robot Boy (9-5) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (3) sft.
Algar Lad 4-5fav (9-2) Close up, led on bit over 1f out, very easy, won at Leicester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Corncockle (8-13) by 3l, 5 ran.
Fitz Flyer (IRE) 40-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, outpaced, 11th of 12, 15l behind Sir Maximilian (8-7) at Chester 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.
Bondesire 7-2fav (9-3) Broke well, led, headed halfway, chased winner ridden over 1f out, kept on and always held, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Willbeme (8-2) at York 6f flls hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Magical Macey (USA) 18-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 6l behind Demora (8-8) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (4yo+) (2) sft.
