very awkward start, in touch over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway and switched left over 1f out, not trouble leaders
held up, headway when not much room 2f out, no quicken entering final furlong, soon switched right, ran on towards finish
held up, switched right 2f out, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
took keen hold, prominent, led over 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, challenged over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
led, headed over 4f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders, took keen hold, led 2f out, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong
The in-form Star Cracker faces a tougher task in this than of late and Mythical Spirit is also upped in class after placing at Wolverhampton. Poppy In The Wind was beaten less than a length at Wolverhampton last time and can figure while Johnny Cavagin slips further down the weights as he looks to end a long losing run. But LUCKY LODGE escapes a penalty for winning an apprentices’ race over 7f earlier in the month and should go close again given he’s won over course and distance in the past.
Johnny Cavagin 16-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden inside final furlong,, no extra, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Rosina (9-5) at Newcastle 5f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Ballymore Castle (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Outer Space (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f stks (6) pol in Jan.
Poppy In The Wind 12-1 (9-6) Slowly away, in rear, switched right home turn, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Amazing Grazing (9-5) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Duke Cosimo 13-2 (9-0) Towards rear, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Oriental Lilly (8-7) at Newcastle 5f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Rockley Point 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 4 3/4l behind Symbolic Star (9-5) at Newcastle 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Lucky Lodge 7-1 (9-4) Chased leader, led well over 1f out, ridden over 1f out, held on, all out, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Jan beating Bush Beauty (8-8) by hd, 9 ran.
Star Cracker (IRE) 3-1fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on and always held by winner, lost 2nd place close home, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Windforpower (9-10) at Newcastle 5f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Mythical Spirit (IRE) 4-1jfav (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Bogsnog (9-4) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Jul.