in touch, ridden over 2f out, driven to chase winner final furlong
dwelt and soon prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along halfway, brought wide over 2f out, driven and stayed on towards finish
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon beaten
never better than mid-division
prominent, ridden along over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, driven and one pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
prominent, led over 2f out, kept on gamely final furlong
always rear division
always behind
Northern Boy gets the nod over Pab Special, Malinsa Blue and Holiday Cocktail in a tricky handicap where not many come here on the back of convincing form figures. Holiday Cocktail won a modest contest at Wolverhampton in March and has a fair chance racing off a 3lb lower mark today. Still, that tells its own story and he may be a better horse on the All Weather these days. Malinsa Blue has plummeted in the ratings of late and finds himself on a mark 24lb lower than for his last win. His close up fourth behind Torrens here nine days ago reads well in the context of this race and he rates as a fair option for each-way punters to consider. Pab Special has found it hard to get his head in front and, for all his ability, can still only boast one career success. However, this is his level and, as a consistent type, he should be able to make the rest aware of his presence. However, Northern Boy will be better suited to the ground conditions today and, as the David Barron-trained gelding is open to a touch more improvement, he looks the best option for a small stakes investment.
Pab Special (IRE) 11-2 (8-10) Chased leader, led over 6f out, ridden over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, faded, 5th of 10, 4l behind Samarinda (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Northern Boy (USA) 8-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headdway over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 17, 2l behind Flighty Fellow (8-11) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Champain Sands (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, smooth headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 14, 6l behind Shy Glance (9-1) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Apsara 9-2 (9-9) Led, ridden, headed over 2f out, soon outpaced, 5th of 11, 9l behind Luna Landing (9-8) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Boreana 33-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 28l behind Major Magpie (9-3) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Sept.
Joshua's Gold (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 8l behind Writ (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Press Express (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, effort over 2f out, never reached challenging position, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Sir Orpen (8-10) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Holiday Cocktail 17-2 (8-2) Slowly into stride, behind, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Harare (7-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Malinsa Blue (IRE) 20-1 (8-0) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 4th of 11, 5l behind Torrens (9-0) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Fairy Monarch (IRE) 8-1 (7-13) In touch, ridden along over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Shy Glance (9-1) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Nell Tupp 33-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 8, 22l behind Ragad (9-3) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs in Dec.
Billy One Punch 6-1 (8-12) Led for 2f, chased leader, led again over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, eased, 8th of 9, 8l behind Cripsey Brook (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcap (5) gf in Apr.
