led, clear over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on one pace
slowly into stride, soon outpaced, kept on final furlong, never nearer
tracked leaders, chased clear leader halfway, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on one pace
steadied start, held up never a factor
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
in rear, short lived effort 2f out
slowly into stride, always in rear
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
keen, tracked leader until halfway, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong
held up, headway 2f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, not clear run and switched left near finish
held up, ridden 2f out, never a factor
James Toller's Pirate's Song won well enough in a Yarmouth maiden last time but a mark of 68 looks plenty high enough for what he has achieved for his first start in a handicap and this looks to lie between two runners who come here on a hat-trick in Averoo and TOP BID, with preference for the latter. Tim Easterby's gelding followed up his convincing win at Hamilton at the beginning of last month over six furlongs with a hard fought success over the minimum trip at Nottingham six days later. He should appreciate the return to six furlongs today and looks to be ahead of the handicapper having been raised just 4lbs for his win last time. Richard Guest's Dickie Le Davoir ran better at Pontefract last time but a 3lb rise since that run makes this more difficult, while Alan Bailey's Imprimis Tagula disappointed last time and now looks best watched. Joe Packet has more to do than when landing a maiden handicap on his most recent start at Chepstow and of more interest may be Michael Squance's Averoo, who comes here having won his last two starts at Goodwood and York but a 6lb rise for the latest of those wins may prevent him from scoring again and preference is for Top Bid.
Billy Red 33-1 (8-4) With leader, ridden over 2f out, held when short of room over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 11, 16l behind Noverre To Go (8-11) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Averoo 9-1 (9-6) Outpaced in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, led post, won at York 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Misplaced Fortune (10-0) by 1/2l, 19 ran.
Dancing Maite 18-1 (8-4) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon hung right, headed over 1f out, weakened, 13th of 16, 12l behind Day Of The Eagle (9-1) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Onceaponatime (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Raced center, in rear, outpaced halfway, last of 13, 37l behind Damika (9-1) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
White Shift (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Led, headed over 3f out, chased winner, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 4l behind Revue Princess (9-1) at Leicester 6f flls hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Joe Packet 5-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd over over 4f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Chepstow 6f mdn hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Sermons Mount (9-0) by nk, 13 ran.
Dickie Le Davoir 15-2 (9-6) Slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on towards finish, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Piccolo Express (8-9) at Warwick 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Top Bid 3-1fav (8-12) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, led main group 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, edged left towards finish, led overall close home, won at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May beating Ridley Didley (8-11) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Elijah Pepper (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Behind, switched left and headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 12th of 19, 6l behind Averoo (9-6) at York 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Rough Rock (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace, 7th of 9, 6l behind Cape Melody (10-0) at Leicester 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Pirate's Song 7-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, regained lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Yarmouth 6f mdn auc stks (6) gf in May beating Jemima Nicholas (8-12) by nk, 9 ran.
Resplendent Alpha 16-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 8th of 15, 4l behind The History Man (9-1) at Chepstow 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.
Imprimis Tagula (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, going well when not much room over 1f out, not able to land a challenge, 13th of 15, 6l behind Gwilym (8-10) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
