slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along 3f out, never dangerous
held up, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders
held up in rear, headway from 2f out, switched right and carried head high over 1f out, shaken up inside final furlong, kept on to lead towards finish
keen, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
dwelt, soon mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt, never near leaders
in touch, lost place halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
towards rear, ridden and headway from over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
rear at start, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
in touch, lost place halfway
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on
went right start, soon tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed towards finish
Nonrunner
A very tricky opener in that this is a compressed handicap for apprentices, so a tentative selection is KING COLUMBO, while Focail Eile is respected and King's Ransom should be thereabouts. The selection drops back in trip here but he should get the strong pace that he will need as a result of that. He has run well in defeat here over 10f on his last two starts and a 2lb drop since his latest run is a plus for prospective backers. He goes on any ground with good in the description, and we will suggest him tonight. Focail Eile has so far raced exclusively on the Polytrack at Wolverhampton and six starts there have yielded one win, which came last time out in a maiden. A 5lb rise should not be frightening given the open nature of this race, provided he acts on turf. King's Ransom enjoyed a purple patch in the spring of 2008 but has not won in 10 subsequent starts. Even so, the Steve Gollings-trained gelding is respected after making the frame from the same mark at Doncaster last time. Amber Ridge is 2lbs out of the handicap and although he made the frame at Town Moor last time he was beaten seven lengths and does not look one to be lumping on given his inconsistency. Comrade Cotton has been well beaten since landing a Leicester handicap over 1m 4f and this trip may be on the short side, but Sonny Parkin is interesting from the same handicap mark as when winning over course and distance last summer and you couldn't rule him out on that basis. A tough start then for punters and a tentative nod is given to King Columbo.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Alsace Lorraine (9-4) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Guildenstern (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always behind, 11th of 12, 18l behind Campli (8-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr.
Sonny Parkin 12-1 (8-7) Raced stands side towards rear, not clear run and switched left over 1f out, never near leaders, 6th of 10, 9l behind Thunder Gorge (9-0) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Focail Eile 6-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 2f, driven and ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Jan beating More Time Tim (9-3) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
King's Ransom 10-1 (10-13) Lead, soon clear, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Director's Chair (10-8) at Doncaster 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gd in Mar.
King Columbo (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Close up, chased clear leader over 3f out, ridden and led over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Jo'burg (11-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gf in May.
Aggravation 9-2 (8-13) Held up, headway over 2f out, not clear run, switched left an plugged on, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind The Cayterers (9-2) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Direct Debit (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Prominent to halfway, 7th of 15, 7l behind Cape Rock (9-7) at Chepstow 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Lord Theo 12-1 (9-4) Chased winner, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 13, 42l behind Coral Shores (9-3) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Shake On It 12-1 (9-7) Steadied start, raced keenly towards rear, pushed along and no impression 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 22l behind Sinbad The Sailor (9-7) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Sweet Kiss (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 17l behind Sweet Gale (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Sion Hill (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden along 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 16, 18l behind Betteras Bertie (8-7) at Doncaster 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Amber Ridge 33-1 (8-3) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 16, 7l behind Betteras Bertie (8-7) at Doncaster 1m app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Comrade Cotton 20-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, never reached leaders, 7th of 12, 10l behind Desert Kiss (9-7) at Kempton 1m app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol.
Obezyana (USA) 2-1fav (9-2) Chased leader, challenged well over 2f out, no extra and edged right over 1f out, 6th of 9, 6l behind Rowan Lodge (9-5) at Carlisle 1m clm stks (6) gf.
Copperwood 9-1 (8-4) Held up, soon pushed along, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 8, 6l behind Xpres Maite (9-4) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
