tracked leaders, led briefly 3f out, stayed challenging, ridden to lead narrowly 1f out, stayed on well final 100 yards, in command towards finish
mid-division, driven to chase leaders 3f out, kept on same pace, never on terms, weakened final furlong
in touch, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch on outside, headway to challenge over 3f out, soon led narrowly, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on until no extra and held final 100 yards
led 3f, in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
with leader, led after 3f, driven and headed 3f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out
awkwardly away, behind, outpaced over 2f out, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, no impression with front pair
behind, outpaced 3f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon chased leaders, kept on same pace from over 1f out, no impression when lost 3rd inside final furlong
held up behind, headway when not clear run over 1f out until inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on final 110 yards, went 4th near finish, unable to challenge
At first glance this looks competitive but a closer inspection suggests SAVED BY THE BELL should have few problems defying a penalty before going on to better things. He was having his first start for David O'Meara when runner-up at Doncaster then gained an impressive victory at Hamilton. He's better than a 75-rated handicapper so should complete a quick double. Gold Chain won a selling hurdle on fast ground last weekend though looks up against it here and Valentine's Gift looks more of a threat as he was in good form last October winning twice and will be better for his two runs this season. Missy Wells continues to find one too good but she's been lightly-raced and should have more to offer, especially on ground with some give.
Saved By The Bell (IRE) 6-4fav (9-6) Close up, good headway to lead approaching final furlong, soon clear, eased towards finish, comfortable, won at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May beating Northside Prince (9-4) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Triple Eight (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Held up behind, headway over 4f out, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 8l behind Magnolia Ridge (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Mar.
Magnolia Ridge (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon faded, 7th of 8, 8l behind Lord Franklin (9-1) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Pertuis (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Dwelt, tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, faded entering final furlong, 6th of 9, 9l behind Aramist (9-0) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in May.
Gold Chain (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, last of 7, 21l behind Real Tigress (8-9) at Beverley 1m fll hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
Missy Wells 9-2 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Lunar Spirit (9-0) at Pontefract 1m 2f fll hcp (5) sft in May.
Hurry Home Poppa (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Reared start, soon tracking leader, led 5f out, ridden 3f out, soon headed and weakened quickly over 2f out, tailed off, 17th of 18, 42l behind Perfect Summer (9-5) at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Valentine's Gift 25-1 (8-8) Mid-division, pushed along 5f out, weakened entering final 3f, 13th of 18, 16l behind Perfect Summer (9-5) at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Tropical Bachelor (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) Prominent, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 19l behind Naburn (9-6) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Sep.
Amazing Blue Sky 10-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 4th post, 4th of 15, 4l behind Kathlatino (9-2) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) sft in May.