held up in last pair, ridden and beaten over 3f out
led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, edged left and lost 2nd inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out
tracked leading pair, ridden and went 2nd inside final 2f, stayed on same pace final furlong
relucant to load in stalls, held up in touch, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
swished tail, tracked leader, led over 2f out, wandered left and right from over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well
tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, plugged on to 3rd 1f out, no impression
always in rear
This is a stiff test for three-year-olds at this stage of the season but Juno The Muffinman, who got off the mark at Southwell in March, looked ready for a step up in trip when fifth at Chester. The longer distance could catch out recent winners Ballyheigue and Flying Trader but the latter did have the disappointing Dollar Bill behind when successful at Kempton. Winner's Wish may have needed her run at Pontefract but is another with possible stamina issues, though Spanish Fork has already won over 1m6f and still looks reasonably treated. NICE ROSE has to give 16lb to Mick Channon's gelding and only won a Newcastle maiden last month but she looks a real staying type and her dam improved the further she went - the Johnston filly gets a tentative vote.
Nice Rose 2-1fav (8-7) Made all, quickened clear well over 3f out, stayed on strongly, ridden out, won at Newcastle 1m 4f mdn flls stks (5) sft in Apr beating Agadir Summer (9-13) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Ballyheigue (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Made all, soon clear, hard ridden over 3f out, strongly challenged inside final furlong, held on well, won at Kempton 1m 3f mdn auc stks (5) pol beating Savida (8-6) by hd, 13 ran.
Flying Trader (USA) 15-2 (9-3) Mid-division and pushed along at various stages, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven clear, won at Kempton 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr beating Spanish Wedding (9-7) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Juno The Muffinman (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Led, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headed approaching final 2f, hung left and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 7l behind Rosslyn Castle (9-6) at Chester 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft.
Winner's Wish 7-2 (9-4) Raced wide, chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 2f out, plugged on same pace over 1f out, 4th of 7, 9l behind Ruacana (9-6) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Apr.
Dollar Bill 20-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, never involved, 8th of 12, 9l behind Flying Trader (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr.
Spanish Fork (IRE) 10-3fav (9-2) Ran in snatches in rear, ridden and headway 4f out, driven to join leader over 1f out, led final strides, won at Nottingham 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft beating Bathwick Street (8-6) by hd, 6 ran.
