chased leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure to chase leading pair inside final furlong, no impression
switched right soon after start, with leader, led 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon hard pressed, stayed on gamely towards finish
prominent stands side rail, ridden 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
tracked leaders, challenged 2f out, soon ridden, kept on and every chance until no extra towards finish
held up behind, driven and outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, never on terms
half reared start, held up in rear, ridden and effort to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
led narrowly, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Gracie's Gift is in rude health but with conditions on the quick side she may find herself outpaced by FRANK STREET and Braille, with the former just preferred. Our pick remains a maiden after eight starts but he's shaped with encouragement of late, notably when a close up third at Lingfield last time out. The handicapper has been kind enough to drop him a pound in the ratings on the back of that and if the first-time blinkers spark a bit of improvement he could well strike at the ninth time of asking. Braille is another unexposed sort trying headgear for the first time and it'd be no surprise were he to put in a big run. Tim Walford's gelding is now 8lbs below the mark that saw him gain his sole success back in 2008 so whilst it is a concern he's not added to that tally since, he's been running well in defeat this season and a return to the winners' enclosure looks imminent. Gracie's Gift completes our shortlist having put together a solid sequence of efforts this term, including a win on the Fibresand at Southwell. Whilst that surface appears to bring out the best in Richard Guest's charge, she has some solid form on turf but much of it is over further and we're of the belief that she'll find this a bit on the sharp side. Don Pele is an admirable type but his best days have been and gone and he's more a plating class performer these days, whilst Villaruz is opposable returning from a break despite the fact he's down to his latest winning mark. Similar comments apply to George Thisby who ran some good races last summer but needs to step up on his 2010 efforts to take this race, one taken to go to Frank Street.
George Thisby 9-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, driven to challenge over 1f out, weakening when edged left entering final furlong, 8th of 10, 4l behind Day Of The Eagle (9-1) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Bahamian Lad 16-1 (8-7) Raced stands side, in touch, ridden over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Tubby Isaacs (8-9) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Frank Street 16-1 (8-10) Raced under stand side rail, with leaders until ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Aegean Shadow (8-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Gracie's Gift (IRE) 3-1fav (9-4) Led, headed over 5f out, tracked leaders, challenged winner from 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Wotatomboy (8-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in May.
Villaruz (IRE) 15-2 (9-1) Chased leader to halfway, weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, 9l behind Welcome Approach (8-11) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-63 (6) pol in Dec.
Steel City Boy (IRE) 28-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 7th of 15, 5l behind Top Bid (8-12) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Nabeeda 5-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, hard driven to challenge 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Captain Kallis (8-10) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar.
Braille 10-1 (8-13) Chased winner over 1f, in touch, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind Just Sam (9-2) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Mata Hari Blue 28-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, switched right and short of room over 1f out, soon no impression, 11th of 16, 8l behind Mayoman (8-11) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May.
Don Pele (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Went left start, towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 3/4l behind Plumage (9-4) at Chepstow 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.
Emiratesdotcom 18-1 (8-3) Prominent, ridden to lead narrowly 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no quicken towards finish, 3rd of 15, 1 1/4l behind The History Man (9-1) at Chepstow 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.
