tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, chased winner final furlong
towards rear, driven 4f out, ridden 2f out, never reached challenging position
held up, headway 3f out, ridden to lead and hung left over 1f out, ran on final furlong
led, driven over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, headway to go mid-division over 6f out, effort over 2f out, soon beaten
prominent, driven over 2f out, effort when hampered over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
Formal Decree, Nesno, and Road To Love are the three against the field in this competitive handicap, and Formal Decree is taken to follow up a win over the track last time. Mark Johnston's Road To Love is a progressive type, having won over a mile at Beverley as a two year old, he made a very promising seasonal debut when getting within five and a half lengths of the classy Stage Gift at Epsom. His best form appears to be on a slower surface though, and with the yard struggling he is passed over. Having been beaten just over four lengths by the useful City Of Troy as a two year old, Nesno ran his best race since when finishing a close second at Redcar last time. He travelled well for much of the race there, and brought back in distance, he can go close. Formal Decree lost his maiden tag at the track last time, staying on well to beat Flying Clarets who ran respectably at Ripon next time. The step up in trip should not be a problem judged on that win, and he finished second here on fast ground as a two year old so he does not need a slower surface necessarily. Formal Decree is progressing well and can shrug off his six pound rise in the handicap.
Road To Love (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Took keen hold, chased leader, challenged 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 15, 6l behind Stage Gift (9-7) at Epsom 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Methusaleh (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Held up, effort over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 8, 9l behind Pressure Putt (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Formal Decree (GER) 11-4 (8-10) Slowly into stride and behind, headway on inner over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on final furlong, won at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp (4) gs in May beating Flying Clarets (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Pigeon Island 7-2 (9-3) Prominent, pushed along 3f out, readily outpaced by front pair final 2f, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Sixties Icon (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) sft in May.
Oscillator 3-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Apr beating Scotland Yard (8-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Nesno (USA) 8-1 (8-11) Close up on outside, smooth headway to lead 2f out, edged left, headed well over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Prince Charlemagne (8-13) at Redcar 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Truly Fruitful (IRE) 17-2 (8-13) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 13, 6l behind Moon On A Spoon (8-12) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
George's Flyer (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 8, 11l behind Royal Reservation (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Feb.
