mid-division, driven over 3f out, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, reminders over 4f out, driven along over 2f out, ridden when weakening over 1f out
always behind
towards rear, never a factor
prominent, ridden over 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
prominent, driven along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up towards rear, driven over 6f out, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
prominent until lost place 5f out
A wide open handicap and a narrow vote is given to Juniper Girl, with Karlani and Marmota also expected to be involved in the finish. Michael Bell has his string well forward and Juniper Girl has already been placed three times this season. She stepped up to this trip at Beverley last time and wasn't beaten far behind the in form Marachi Band and a repeat of that effort could be good enough this afternoon. Karlani is bred in the purple but is obviously not one of the stable stars on two-year-old evidence. However he could improve this year and does get in here on a fair mark. Mark Johnston's charge Marmota could be anything. He landed a Wolverhampton maiden on his debut last month. It was a modest event but he won with plenty of authority and should improve. Alf Tupper is from a yard in form and may do best of the others, however Juniper Girl has the best overall form and gets the verdict.
Pukka Tique 50-1 (9-2) Mid-division, hampered over 2f out, headway when switched right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Prince of Love (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Marmota (IRE) 9-2 (8-3) Made all, ridden 3f out, edged right well over 1f out, stayed on, won at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Mar beating Elated (9-10) by 2l, 10 ran.
Genau (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 14l behind Tempsford Flyer (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
Marronnier (IRE) 18-1 (8-11) Towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 18l behind Gracechurch (9-1) at Redcar 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Juniper Girl (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) With leaders, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, kept on, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Marachi Band (8-11) at Beverley 1m 4f fll hcp (5) gs.
Alf Tupper 66-1 (8-9) Held up, headway over 1f out, soon ridden and weakened, 13th of 22, 9l behind Rampallion (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Karlani (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Mid-division, driven over 4f out, headway over 2f out, hung left, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4l behind dhtrs Stravara (9-0) & Economic (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) hvy in Nov.
Northerner (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) In rear, ridden and some headway over 3f out, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 29l behind Bariloche (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) fbs in Mar.
Cora Pearl (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened well over 1f out, 10th of 13, 21l behind Mid Valley (8-12) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Feb.