led to 6f out, stayed prominent, rallied on inside to regain lead entering final furlong, ridden flashed tail and edged left final furlong, kept on well
held up in rear, effort on outside over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never able to challenge
pulled hard, tracked leader, edged 6f out, ridden and hung left badly from over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, continued to hang left and one pace after
tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along over 3f out, hung left over 1f out, soon outpaced
in touch on inside, headway 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on under pressure towards finish, held by winner
held up in rear, switched left to outside 2f out, one pace under pressure and no impression
soon tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final 2f, eased when beaten final furlong
The short list contains Heaven Knows, Salt Man and In Full Cry, with the vote going to Heaven Knows. Much as he is said to like cut in the going, Heaven Knows is pretty well regarded by connections and he confirmed himself a decent performer with a heavy-ground Thirsk win last time. He looks set to go well again. Count Trevisio was well beaten on his juvenile handicap debut so it would be hard to say that he's well-weighted now. John Terry did not look straightforward on his handicap debut here last time, but he still ran well and can do so again despite his five-pounds rise in the ratings. Salt Man was overfaced in the Feilden Stakes last time but must be well thought of to have been entered there, while, with the second, third, fourth and fifth from the race having won since, In Full Cry has to be respected based on his Ripon maiden debut win. Speedy Sam's win last time came on the all-weather at Southwell, and this looks tougher. Finally, Tumbleweed Glory has shown promise but flopped in first-time blinkers last time, and Velvet Valley, of course, is open to improvement from the Sir Michael Stoute yard. Overall, though, we will stick with Heaven Knows.
Count Trevisio (IRE) 5-1co-fav (9-7) Slowly into stride, raced centre, soon led that group, headed 2f out, weakened and hung left, 8th of 11, 11l behind Gramm (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2yo hcp 0-95 (4) sft in Oct.
John Terry (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Missed break, headway under pressure to have every chance, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Salute Him (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gs.
Salt Man 25-1 (8-13) Pulled hard, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out, last of 8, 6l behind Atlantic Waves (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Apr.
In Full Cry 11-2 (9-0) In touch far side, led that group over 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, ran on to lead close home, won at Ripon 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in May '05 beating Buachaill Dona (9-0) by a nk, 17 ran.
Heaven Knows 7-4fav (9-4) In touch, outpaced over 5f out, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (4) hvy in May beating North Walk (8-13) by 2l, 13 ran.
Tumbleweed Glory (IRE) 12-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, keen, driven 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, well behind Layazaal (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft in May.
Velvet Valley (USA) 11-2 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Sharplaw Autumn (8-6) at Beverley 1m mdn stk (5) gf in Apr.
Speedy Sam 5-2 (9-3) Tracked leaders, driven to lead over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, easily, won at Southwell 1m 3yo mdn (5) fbs beating Digger Boy (9-3) by 5l, 12 ran.
