raced in rear, hampered halfway, pushed along over 5f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, driven and headway over 4f out, soon no impression
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, soon chasing winner, weakened final furlong
held up mid-division, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 3f out, soon weakened
pulled hard early in mid-division, lost place over 3f out
held up in rear, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, stayed on same pace final 2f
disputed lead until led after 4f, ridden clear over 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on well
held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, chasing leaders when hung left 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
disputed lead 4f, tracked leader after, driven halfway, soon weakened
DIRTY DEAL is taken to land the finale at the main expense of Quidam Blue and Playtime Ben. The selection was no match for Cresswell Crusader in a bumper at Chepstow back in February, but that was still a sound effort and on the evidence of that run, he can break his duck today. Quidam Blue looks the main danger as Tim Vaughan's runner wasn't beaten far when last seen out. However, he seemed as though he was outstayed that day over 2m, so this slightly longer trip is not sure to suit. Playtime Ben will certainly have no problems with this trip and there was plenty to like about him on his debut at Fontwell when he finished third behind Madame Jasmine. Willy Be Lucky and Rapid Exit are interesting newcomers worth noting in the market, but in a race where the market may provide the clues, we will side with Dirty Deal as the one to beat.
Combat King (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 15, 33l behind Whoops A Daisy (10-3) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (5) gd in Apr.
Late Red 33-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 21l behind Sizing Santiago (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Playtime Ben (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up, headway to dispute 5th place when not much room and stumbled on bend over 3f out, stayed on to 3rd final furlong, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Madame Jasmine (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Quidam Blue (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway 4f out, edged right and led 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Custer Of The West (11-3) at Towcester 2m mdn NH flat (5) gf in Apr.
Rapid Exit (IRE) Alderbrook gelding out of Novaro Express.
The Ridge 33-1 (12-0) (cp) fell 1, in a race won by Blejan Eyhre (11-7) at Woodford 3m ptp gd in Apr, 14 ran.
Willy Be Lucky (IRE) Classic Cliche gelding out of Hadaani.
Cloudy Wager 25-1 (10-6) Held up, driven along on paddock bend 10f out, stayed on into 4th over 4f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 6, 8l behind Bens Moor (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f NH flat (6) hvy in Mar.
Dirty Deal 14-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, left in lead over 13f out, headed 11f out, chased winner over 4f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 14, 12l behind Cresswell Crusader (10-12) at Chepstow 2m cond & am NH flat (6) hvy in Feb.
Karoshdee 8-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, hung left from halfway, ran wide and lost place 4f out, hanging violently when nearly took wrong course and unseated rider 3f out, in a race won by Custer Of The West (11-3) at Towcester 2m mdn NH flat (5) gf in Apr, 8 ran.
She's Sassy (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Always in rear, 9th of 12, 37l behind Silver Gypsy (10-7) at Fakenham 2m mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (4) gd in Apr.
Midnight Fun 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 9f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 20, 7l behind Cinderella Rose (10-8) at Warwick 2m mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gd in Mar.
