steadied start, held up in and behind, smooth and steady headway 2f out, went between horses over 1f out, soon 2nd, led inside final furlong, soon clear, easily
mid-division, ridden inside final 2f, edged left and weakened final furlong
never closer than mid-division, behind and struggling over 2f out
tracked leaders, pushed along out wide over 3f out, ridden 2f out, hung left and no impression inside final furlong, stayed on late
led, ridden over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, stayed on for clear 2nd
slowly into stride, held up off the pace in rear, headway on inside chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden and weakened inside final 2f
chased leaders, pushed along disputing 2nd over 2f out, 3rd and one pace final furlong
raced keenly, soon tracking leaders on inside, weakened inside final 3f
always towards rear, never a factor
chased leader until ridden just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Not the strongest Class 6 handicap but LENNY'S SPIRIT is taken to reverse recent Wolverhampton placings with City Escape after the pair came home first and fourth at the Midlands venue. City Escape landed a first career success in 28 starts that day and will find life harder off this 5lb higher mark. The selection is 5lb better off here too, and with the claim of Villiers to be added in can turn the tables if held onto a little longer this time around. Thunder Flash and Your Love Is King give Ian Williams a double shot at the prize with both not discounted, whilst Hotspur Harry and Chifa both command some respect from the opposite ends of the handicap.
Hotspur Harry (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Raced keenly, led until over 2f out, lost 2nd 2f out, chased leaders, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 6 3/4l behind The Rain King (9-7) at Windsor 1m hcp (5) gd in May.
Lenny's Spirit (FR) 15-8fav (9-8) Raced wide early, headway into 2nd over 7f out, led inside final 2f, ridden clear over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final 150 yards, weakened and lost two places towards finish, 4th of 9, 2 3/4l behind City Escape (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in May.
Raihaan (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden and headway when switched to inside over 1f out, faded final furlong, 7th of 12, 6 1/4l behind Dynakite (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Jerriais 22-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Flower Of Thunder (9-10) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in May.
Your Love Is King 9-1 (8-7) Close up in rear, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, last of 4, 9 3/4l behind Man Of Riddles (9-10) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
City Escape (IRE) 17-2 (9-0) Steadied start, held up towards rear, switched out inside final 2f, headway between horses over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, led inside final 150 yards, won going away, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in May beating Defilade (9-4) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Thunder Flash 4-1 (9-9) Close up, shaken up 3f out, soon ridden, kept on until no extra inside final 150 yards, 4th of 13, 4 1/4l behind I Doubt That (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in May.
Channel Packet 11-1 (9-4) Raced keenly, chased leaders out wide, ridden and hung left inside final 2f, weakened soon after, 5th of 7, 10l behind Toybox (9-4) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in May.
Chifa (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, in rear, effort from 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Dandy Maestro (9-11) at Bath 1m hcp (6) gd in May.
Tanglewood Tales 20-1 (9-0) Led 2f, chased winner until 3f out, chased leaders, weakened final 2f, 10th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Boy George (9-3) at Windsor 1m 3f hcp (6) gd in May.
