chased leaders, driven over 2f out, no chance with winner when ridden to take narrow 2nd over 1f out, kept on, lost 2nd near finish
held up in touch, outpaced on outside over 2f out, soon weakened, tailed off
made all, driven clear over, ridden out final furlong, comfortably
tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to take narrow 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
tracked winner, driven over 2f out, ridden and lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch on outside, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened and eased, tailed off
Nonrunner
Top Notch Tonto has done brilliantly for connections and though penalised for last month's Listed success at York he would be a threat to all if the ground turns soft. Birdman has won five times since joining David O'Meara and deserves a crack at this level after his latest success in a Class 2 handicap at York. SHORT SQUEEZE was conceding Top Notch Tonto 1lb when beating him narrowly in a tough handicap at York last August and would have an obvious chance of confirming the form on these terms as long as the going remains good. He's taken to see off the challenge of the three-year-old Let's Go, who has won two minor races on the all-weather in the style of a very useful performer.
Birdman (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Took keen hold tracking leaders, led entering final furlong, ridden clear, easily, won at York 1m hcp 105 (2) gd beating Musaddas (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 18 ran.
Fire Ship 7-1 (9-7) Led until over 4f out, chased leader, led again 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, one pace and dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Top Notch Tonto (9-7) at York 1m Listed stks (1) gs in Jun.
Mondialiste (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Raced near side, held up in last pair, headway 2f out, led group well over 1f out until over 1f out, chased group leader until inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd, eased when no chance with far side, 14th of 30, 10l behind Gm Hopkins (9-3) at Royal Ascot 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Short Squeeze (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ridden and chased winner inside final furlong, held when carried slightly left well inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Kodi Bear (8-8) at Windsor 1m Listed stks (1) gf in Jun.
Hail The Hero (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 4l behind Tupi (9-6) at Newmarket 1m 3yo lst stk (1) gf.
Let's Go (USA) 8-11fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, eased heavily towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-90 (3) beating Fiftyshadesfreed (9-11) by 9l, 11 ran.
Top Notch Tonto (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Held up in 6th, good headway near side well over 1f out, quickened to lead approaching final furlong, ran on well, driven out, won at York 1m Listed stks (1) gs in Jun beating Gabrial (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
