dwelt, soon tracking leader, led 2f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong, joined for 3rd post
always behind, ridden and struggling 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead briefly inside final 2f, soon driven and one pace
held up, short lived effort on rails over 2f out, soon beaten
led, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, driven and stayed in inside final furlong to dead heat for 3rd post
held up last, ridden along early straight, switched left to outside and headway 2f out, driven to lead inside final 2f, ran on strongly final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
In this handicap, we will shortlist Prince Of Thebes, Orchard Supreme and Bailieborough and side with Prince Of Thebes. Prince Of Thebes races off 97 today, and his best previous winning mark is 93. However, he comes here after a seasonal pipe-opener and, looking at his opponents, he might just be able to deal with them. The handicapper seems reluctant to drop Yarqus, while Humungous could prove well-weighted if recapturing hs Listed-class form of last summer. Orchard Supreme would be very well-weighted if replicating his recent all-weather form, while Rain Stops Play is edging back towards a winning mark, but his last few efforts have been uninspiring. Red Somerset possibly has it to prove from his rating and Capable Guest is not the most consistent but he pops up every now and again. Bailieborough was beaten from his revised mark towards the end of last season but he ran pretty well from it at Musselburgh last time and at least comes here sharp, while Paraguay has it to prove from out of the weights. Once again, then, we will side with Prince Of Thebes.
Prince Of Thebes (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Never a threat, 22nd of 23, 16l behind Pinpoint (9-8) at Newbury 1m hcap (2) gf.
Yarqus 20-1 (8-6) Chased leaders stand's side group, weakened well over 1f out, 17th of 20, 35l behind Very Wise (8-11) at Newcastle 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Humungous (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden over 3f out, short lived effort over 2f out, soon no impression, 10th of 13, 9l behind Orchard Supreme (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Orchard Supreme 2-1fav (9-0) Raced keen early, held up in touch, not much room 4f out, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Banknote (9-0) at Lingfield 1m lst stk (1) pol in Mar.
Rain Stops Play (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Led, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, last of 5, 8l behind Kew Green (8-8) at Warwick 1m stk (4) gf.
Red Somerset (USA) 20-1 (8-10) Keen, held up, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 10, 24l behind Rampallion (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) sft in Sept.
Capable Guest (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 10th of 14, 8l behind Robustian (8-5) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Bailieborough (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Emerald Bay (8-13) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Paraguay (USA) 9-2 (9-3) Towards rear, headway 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Flying Bantam (8-6) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
