held up, headway to go prominent 4f out, ridden, every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
close up, chased winner every chance from 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out and pulled up
steadied start, held up in last place, headway over 2f out, ridden, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leader, led over 3f out, driven out
pulled hard, held up, improved to 3rd after 3f, taken wide of main field 10f out, ridden 4f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
The way Always Bold won at Hamilton over as furlong shorter last time suggests that Mark Johnston's colt can follow up here, with Spring Dream looking a serious danger. Like the yard, the selection showed improved form in that Hamilton contest, after early season doldrums coincided with a couple of ordinary handicapping runs. A 4lb rise for a four length win looks to be strictly by the book from the assessor, and this lightly-raced colt is probably a fair bit better than that. He can begin to show us today. Spring Dream is supremely consistent and well-placed by Alan King, who is also in good nick. The mare sported first-time blinkers when winning at Nottingham over this trip last time and if they have the same effect then she can again go close from 3lb higher. Stringsofmyheart probably wants a bit more of a drop in the weights to be successful again, Kiribati King has frame claims once again and looks solid, while Brief Goodbye should also get involved off this mark with trip and ground to suit. A very interesting little contest and Always Bold gets the vote.
Generous Jem 50-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 9th of 10, 18l behind Dar Re Mi (8-4) at Newmarket 1m 4f lst fll stk (1) gf.
Spring Dream (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) In touch, chased leaders over 2f out, ridden and stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gs beating Tomina (11-6) by a nk, 11 ran.
Stringsofmyheart 12-1 (9-2) Led, ridden over 4f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 17l behind Bollin Felix (9-1) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy.
Brief Goodbye 5-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 7l behind Hatton Flight (9-8) at Ascot 1m 4f app hcp (4) gs.
Always Bold (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to challenge over 3f out, soon ridden and led, driven clear from over 1f out, won at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Gordonsville (9-4) by 4l, 6 ran.
Kiribati King (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 2f out, soon every chance, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2l behind General Ting (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs.
