tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home
led, headed after 1f, remained in touch, regained lead over 2f out, staying on final furlong until headed, no extra close home
in touch, pulled hard to lead after 1f, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
steadied start, held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, effort over 2f out, no impression
held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Stevie Thunder has proved a tough nut to crack against his own age group and can go in again here at the main expense of Jerry Hamilton and Reel Buddy Star. The selection is tried on good ground for the first time but his sire found no trouble with faster surfaces, so that would appear to be no inconvenience. He is proven over the trip, having finished just a length in arrears of Jaser at Nottingham last month, and he has plenty in his favour. Reel Buddy Star has raced only on good ground and proved that he acts on a sound surface, with a Newcastle win and placed efforts both there and at Catterick. The form of those races is not bad at all, but perhaps not quite as strong as the selection, so he is opposed. Jerry Hamilton is locally trained by Mark Johnston and the step up to a mile will give this Cherokee Run colt more time to get involved and he should benefit from that. Hyde Lea Flyer and Nortune both look to have plenty of weight to carry and Tiger's Rocket may be a better bet for placed money as one who gets the trip and comes here on a competitive mark, but preference is for Stevie Thunder.
Spirit of A Nation (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Held up, chased along halfway, driven over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Royalist (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs in Apr.
Stevie Thunder 4-5fav (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to lead over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Apr beating Grand Value (8-8) by 3l, 12 ran.
Hyde Lea Flyer 11-2 (9-3) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 12, 5l behind Tajaaweed (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Reel Buddy Star 8-1 (8-9) Mid-divison, ridden and headway 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Cross Fell (8-9) at Catterick 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Tiger's Rocket (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Led, headed after 1f and remained in touch, ridden along over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 5l behind William Blake (9-4) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gs in Apr.
When Yer Ready (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Chased leaders to halfway far side, 13th of 16, 15l behind Crystany (8-12) at Ripon 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sept.
Jerry Hamilton (USA) 2-1jt-fav (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Ten Pole Tudor (9-0) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Nortune (USA) 9-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 7l behind Always Brave (8-8) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in Apr.
