mid-division, headway to track leaders 6th, ridden 3 out, challenged next and led last, driven out
mid-divsion, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on one pace to chase winner flat
close up, 2nd when slipped up on paddock bend after 5th
towards rear, fell 5th (water)
prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened from next
led, blundered 1st, ridden 3 out, headed last, no extra flat
held up, ridden after 4 out, no impression
mid-division, behind 7th, effort next, soon beaten
Tom's Toybox made a winning debut for the Chris Grant yard last time and is selected to land back-to-back victories. The only worry is that the relatively inexperienced Lucy Horner takes the mount and although she is a capable rider in her own right, her ability against her male counterparts will be tested here. That said, the selection appears a straight forward ride and will relish the firm surface. Manhatton Boy was set some stiff tasks last season during his novice campaign. He is a decent sort but it remains to be seen how he will cope with today's surface. Media Man has been extremely frustrating but finally got off the mark in a horror maiden chase where his market rival fell when beginning to rally. He could not be put forward with any confidence. Last years winner Yankee Holiday races off a 10lb higher mark than twelve months. He posted his best effort since that victory over the course in April behind the progressive Coach Lane and like some, reserves his best form for this track. He could provide each way value but Tom's Toybox gets the vote to land it for Lucy Horner and Chris Grant.
Manhattan Boy (GER) 11-4 (11-12) Prominent, led after 4 out, ridden and headed soon after 3 out, held from next, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Consigliere (11-11) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in May.
Seeyaaj 16-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, effort 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Nirvana Swing (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Tom's Toybox 4-5fav (10-11) Made all, driven clear last, ridden and hard pressed flat, just held on, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in May beating Water Taxi (11-12) by a hd, 4 ran.
Caulkleys Bank 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, no impression from 3 out, 3rd of 4, 14l behind Beggars Cap (11-4) at Southwell 2m nov chs (3) gf in Feb.
Yankee Holiday (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) With winner, reminders 8th, ridden and lost place after 2 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 4, 11l behind Tom's Toybox (10-11) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in May.
Media man (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Made all, stumbled 4 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out, driven out flat, won at Perth 2m mdn chs (4) gf in May beating Mill Row (11-0) by 13l, 10 ran.
Ho Pang Yau 12-1 (11-3) Behind, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 7, 26l behind Mr Jack Daniells (11-3) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in May.
Brave Broncho (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Media Man (11-0) at Perth 2m mdn chs (4) gf in May.
Rossin Gold (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Held up, blundered 6th, struggling 4 out, soon tailed off, last of 4, well behind Tom's Toybox (10-11) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in May.
