held up 3rd, chased winner over 2f out, but no impression from over 1f out
held up 4th, ridden 3f out, never near leaders
slowly into stride, settled in last, headway to go 3rd over 1f out, but no chance with first 2
tracked leader, led just over 3f out, ridden clear 2f out, pushed out final furlong, comfortably
led until headed just over 3f out, ridden and weakened just over 2f out
Nonrunner
Riley Boys can get losses back over Brief Goodbye, Star Magnitude and Olimpo in what promises to be a tight little handicap. Riley Boys has been in very consistent form this season, gaining back-to-back successes at Beverley over 10 furlongs before finding the drop back to a mile against him on each of his last two starts. James Given's charge has stayed on strongly both times, and the return to this more suitable trip will be very much in his favour. Brief Goodbye was successful at Windsor last time, and that form was franked by the runner-up Forthright at Ripon last week, so he rates a danger along with Star Magnitude who gets weight all round. Olimpo's winning run came to an end at Windsor last time when he pulled much too hard. If he settles more on this return to a shorter trip, then Rod Millman's runner can play a part in proceedings. Obrigado has it to do off topweight, but I Have Dreamed is going the right way, and is yet another that can not be ruled out entirely, but in a hard one to call, it is Riley Boys that is the pick.
Obrigado (USA) 5-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, good headway inside final 2f, ran on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Acrobatic (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Riley Boys (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (9-9) Held up, headway when not much room and switched left over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Claret And Amber (9-0) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Brief Goodbye 11-1 (9-6) Dwelt, held up, headway on wide outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on under pressuer to lead final 100 yards, won at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Forthright (9-0) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
I Have Dreamed (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) In touch, headway to chase winner over 3f out until entering final furlong, soon outpaced by front pair, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Warsaw Pact (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Olimpo (FR) 5-1fav (9-11) Took keen hold, tracked leaders in 4th, ridden to chase leader over 3f out, ridden and no extra under pressure final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Alessano (9-9) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Star Magnitude (USA) 14-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, slightly hampered inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Great Plains (9-3) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
