held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon short of room and weakened
in touch, effort over 2f out, soon faded
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace entering final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, switched right and headway over 1f out, soon hampered, kept on well
mid-division, effort when hampered over 1f out, soon switched right, no impression
held up in touch, effort when hampered over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on well under pressure
prominent, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon hung right and weakened
held up towards rear, not clear run 2f out, switched right to challenge over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
started very slowly, behind, switched right and good headway over 1f out, soon ridden and ran on well
in touch, not much room and squeezed through over 1f out, soon ridden and one paced
with leader, raced keenly, edged left over 1f out, soon weakened
Perks caught they eye with an impressive success over Doncaster's straight mile last time and he can repeat the dose here, with Red Rumour and American Art others for the short list. The John Dunlop-trained selection was a six length scorer at Town Moor and has been raised 12lb by the handicapper as a result. This is, admittedly, a tougher contest, but he looked a three-year-old going very much the right way and his current mark should still prove to be lenient. Red Rumour made a winning reappearance when stepped up to this trip and looked better for it, and he may come on for the run. A 4lb rise since means he will need to in order to trouble the selection, but he is not ruled out. American Art is another who should benefit from the move to this distance, and Barry Hills' runner has won over both 6f and 7f so far, the latter an easy success when last seen out at Kempton in January. Arctic Cape is an interesting contender for Mark Johnston and should come on for a decent return run at Sandown recently, so he can get involved. Duntulm is another who ran a nice comeback race and can get better, though will need to improve, Robby Bobby has a bit to prove, while Harlech Castle represents an in form yard and could easily be a danger. Our selection here though is Perks.
Harlech Castle 6-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon tracked leading pair, ridden 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1/2l behind Meeriss (9-5) at Lingfield 7f nov stk (4) pol in Sept.
Red Rumour (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Behind, headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led post, won at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (3) pol in Mar beating Elna Bright (9-2) by a ns, 12 ran.
Dixey 15-8fav (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on under pressure, caught final strides, 2nd of 12, nk behind Palm Court (8-8) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp (5) pol in Jul.
Speedy Dollar (USA) 7-2 (8-12) Chased leaders until outpaced 3f out, 6th of 8, 10l behind Il Warrd (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3yo lst stk (1) pol in Apr.
Robby Bobby 11-10fav (9-4) Chased leaders, effort over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 12l behind Cobo Bay (9-7) at Ripon 1m 3yo hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Meydan Dubai (IRE) Evensfav (8-12) Led on rail, driven and strongly pressed from 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Rash Judgement (8-12) at Windsor 6f nov aut stk (5) gd in Aug.
American Art (IRE) 9-4 (9-4) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, quickly drew clear, won at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Smokey Rye (9-4) by 6l, 7 ran.
Flawed Genius 15-2 (9-7) Bumped start, behind, some headway 2f out, soon ridden, never able to challenge, 9th of 17, 7l behind Cristal Clear (8-13) at York 6f 2yo hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Arctic Cape 6-1 (8-5) Pulled hard, tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, one pace under pressure when hung badly left from over 1f out, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Commander Cave (8-8) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Perks (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Jumped right at start and held up, smooth progress 2f out, shaken up to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Doncaster 1m 3yo hcp (4) gs in Apr beating Silver Rime (9-0) by 6l, 16 ran.
Duntulm 7-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on but always held by winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Sugar Mint (8-7) at Bath 1m mdn stk (5) gd in Apr.
Prime Exhibit 4-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, good headway over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 14, 14l behind Bronze Cannon (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Apr.
King's Wonder 2-1fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, one pace, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Hollander (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Apr.