mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
mid-division, lost place 4f out, soon ridden and well behind
soon prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, not clear run briefly over 2f out, ridden to lead and edged right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, lost place over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, lost place 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led 1f, prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden and switched left 2f out, headway over 1f out, never in contention
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Collateral Damage had some excellent form last year to win six times and won on his last outing at this trip and Celtic Change has a consistent record so far this year but our preference in this race is for CHARLIE COOL who is looking for a hat-trick. The selection has won at Thirsk and Ripon so far this year and the trainer has a good record when combining with the jockey booked. There are reservations though about whether the horse can win from the mark given. Collateral Damage will be there or thereabouts if rediscovering anything like the ability that saw him win twice at this track over the distance last year. Celtic Change remains a threat given that the Michael Dods gelding won two races ago at Beverley turning the tables on Just Bond. The latter runs again today having won previously off a higher mark over this trip. Karaka Jack may have entered calculations if not for a sub-standard performance in the race prior to this at Newmarket. Observatory Star should be respected but has not won for two years and has not looked any nearer to returning to winning ways. We therefore go with Charlie Cool to beat all challengers in this contest.
Collateral Damage (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Mid-division, headway 3f out, soon ridden and kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 5l behind Fareer (9-1) at York 1m listed hcp 0-110 (1) gf in May.
Jack Dawkins (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 13l behind Charlie Cool (8-9) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May.
Lucky Dance (BRZ) 10-1 (9-5) Raced wide, held up until moved up to track leader 6f out, effort on outside 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 7l behind Lovelace (9-5) at Newcastle 1m cond Stakes (3) gf in Apr.
Charlie Cool 5-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon led, just held on, won at Ripon 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May beating Off Chance (8-12) by hd, 11 ran.
Kiwi Bay 7-2fav (9-2) Held up in rear, driven and beaten over 2f out, 7th of 9, 12l behind Dubai Dynamo (9-4) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Celtic Change (IRE) 11-4fav (9-10) Led, driven and headed over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Templetuohy Max (8-7) at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Exit Smiling 14-1 (8-10) Broke well, soon tracking leaders, raced keenly, outpaced over 3f out, rallied approaching final furlong, kept on well, 4th of 6, 5l behind Tiger Reigns (9-4) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May.
Just Bond (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Held up last, switched right well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Ezdeyaad (8-10) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Handsome Falcon 17-2 (9-0) Close up on outside, driven and outpaced over 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 21l behind Charlie Cool (8-10) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Karaka Jack 8-1 (9-0) Led center group, prominent, merged with stands' side group halfway, chased leaders, ridden and weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 7l behind Oasis Dancer (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Observatory Star (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Summer Dancer (9-3) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Reel Buddy Star 13-2 (8-4) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 15l behind Charlie Cool (8-9) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May.
