in rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on, no impression
held up in touch, led 2f out, stayed on well
chased leaders, went 2nd halfway, ridden to challenge 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, headed 2f out, soon weakened
Sky Gate was rated 66 prior to winning his maiden at Southwell when last seen in December so Brian Meehan's colt looks harshly treated on his handicap debut off a mark of 83 today and preference is for another handicap newcomer STANSTILL, who gets the vote ahead of Thin Red Line. Ed Dunlop's colt looked a shade unlucky when not getting the clearest of runs at Sandown last time and he could be of interest but may not be suited by the step up in trip so looks best watched. Marco Botti's Splinter Cell has not progressed from a promising reappearance run at Wolverhampton in March and is difficult to recommend, while Howard Johnson's Warrior One was well held on his return at York last month. Mark Johnston's Mannlichen showed a reasonable level of form as a juvenile but was well held on his reappearance and looks best watched in a race taken to go to Stanstill. Alan Swinbank's gelding has shown progressive form in maidens, finding just one too good in each of his two starts this term when beaten by the narrowest of margins, he looks well treated for his handicap debut and is taken to go one better today.
Sky Gate (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Prominent, led over 4f out, drew clear 2f out, ridden out final furlong, readily, won at Southwell 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec beating Tartan Gunna (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Splinter Cell (USA) 16-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden 4f out, no extra final 2, 5th of 10, 9l behind Opinion Poll (8-11) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) hvy in May.
Warrior One 20-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, hampered over 2f out, soon outpaced, 14th of 16, 9l behind Barwell Bridge (9-5) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Stanstill (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 11, ns behind Leceile (8-12) at Newcastle 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (5) gf in May.
Thin Red Line (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Behind, ridden and outpaced 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 6l behind Mirrored (9-6) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Mannlichen 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and hampered approaching 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 6l behind Barwell Bridge (9-5) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Captain Imperial (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Led, headed halfway, outpaced by winner from over 2f out, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Kind Heart (8-7) at Southwell 1m 2yo nov stks (5) fbs in Nov.
