in touch, chased winner over 3f out to over 1f out, ridden and stayed on same pace final furlong, no impression with leading pair
behind, outpaced 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up behind in touch, switched right and headway over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, not reached winner
soon led, headed over 6f out, tracked leader, led again over 3f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
raced keenly in touch, led over 6f out, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden 4f out, kept on same pace final 2f, never on terms
Nonrunner
Flightly Francis and Mercoliano are best served by the framing of this seller based on the official ratings but both may be flattered by their marks so a better bet looks to be CALYPSO STAR. Richard Hannon's colt is on form having landed his last two runs in this grade. His penultimate win was in a better race than this so with his latest coming with some ease he should take all the beating. Frank Street overcame some adverse terms to land a similar race last time so could also be one for the shortlist whilst if the ratings for Flightly Francis and Mercoliano can be trusted then they will be going very well but looking at the form for both that fact looks unlikely. Decree Absolute put in a solid effort in a handicap last time and is likely to be in the mix now in this grade but Calypso Star is the one on form and should win this.
Frank Street 10-3 (9-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead narrowly 1f out, held on under pressure final furlong, won at Nottingham 1m 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gf beating Magenta Strait (8-13) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Decree Absolute (USA) 20-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, soon edged left, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 5l behind Crocodile Bay (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Calypso Star (IRE) 9-4fav (8-13) Prominent, tracked leader halfway, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden clear, easily, won at Lingfield 1m clm stks (6) pol beating Sabatini (8-4) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mercoliano 8-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon edged left, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 11l behind Caldercruix (9-1) at Redcar 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Proud Tuscan 80-1 (9-0) Went right start, mid-division, never nearer, 7th of 12, 23l behind Blissful Moment (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf.
Marafong 9-1 (8-5) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to go 3rd towards finish, not reached leading pair, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Frank Street (9-7) at Nottingham 1m 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gf.
Flighty Frances (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 5l behind I'm A Dreamer (9-3) at Newmarket 1m flls hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Massachusetts 15-2 (8-6) Led, came to centre over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra, 5th of 7, 8l behind Regal Rave (9-2) at Bath 1m 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) fm.
