soon pushed along in rear, never a factor
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
pressed leader, ridden to lead 2f out, edged right and headed inside final furlong, kept on
pushed along in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on
close up travelling well, chased leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, pushed along and ran on
fly leapt start and slow into stride, in rear, kept on, never a factor
It will be fascinating to see if David Nicholls can produce his customary magic when taking on sprinters from other yards with Nosedive. The topweight was a very useful sort in 2010 but hadn't been seen since until reappearing for his new yard in competitive handicap company at Chester recently. He didn't shape at all badly and is well worth keeping an eye on whatever his fate here. Bedloe's Island and Another Wise Kid, both C&D winners, enjoyed good campaigns last term and, judged on recent efforts, there's more of the same to come this term but NOODLES BLUE BOY is just given the nod. He was beaten at Thirsk on Saturday but it's significant he's returned to the track so quickly and will be tough to beat if repeating his success in a competitive large-field handicap there on his penultimate outing.
Nosedive 16-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out, eased, last of 7, 10l behind Duchess Dora (8-13) at Chester 5f cond Stakes (3) sft.
Azzurra Du Caprio (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 12th of 21, 9l behind Internationaldebut (9-9) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Sep.
Master Rooney (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 13, 30l behind Magical Macey (9-3) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Apr.
Another Wise Kid (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Led early, chased leaders, ridden halfway, no extra inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Long Awaited (9-5) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Apr.
Noodles Blue Boy 6-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Mayoman (9-3) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Captain Scooby 6-1 (8-9) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 13, 1 3/4l behind Long Awaited (9-5) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Apr.
Bedloe's Island (IRE) 40-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway 1f out, kept on, not able to reach leaders, 6th of 16, 2 3/4l behind Judge 'n Jury (8-0) at York 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Electric Qatar 33-1 (7-13) Led to post, awkward leaving stalls, pushed along in rear, kept on final furlong, never a factor, 6th of 9, 10l behind Ballesteros (9-2) at Chester 5f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft.