slowly away in touch in rear, ridden 2f out, headway entering final furlong, ran on to go 2nd towards finish, no threat to winner
tracked leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
in touch in rear, ridden halfway, never a factor
raced wide in touch, soon pushed along, effort 2f out, kept on same pace
close up, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, switched left over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon edged right, ran on, comfortable
This has been won by some useful types in the past including Rizeena last year and she went on to Group 1 and 2 glory. Her trainer Clive Brittain runs Via Via, who made a successful debut with something in hand at Ripon. Bonnie Grey took some time to get into her stride at Warwick but stayed on strongly when leading at the furlong pole and will be much better suited by this stiff track. Cock Of The North landed the first two-year-old race of the year at Doncaster in the style of a very promising colt and the placed horses both won next time. He's been kept back for something better and should go well. Escalating started favourite in that latter race but finished mid-division but he's obviously well regarded and scored subsequently at Kempton and Ascot. The Hannon yard has won four of the last seven and TIGGY WIGGY will be fancied to continue the sequence. She won her opening two runs when odds-on and lost little in defeat behind Patience Alexander in a Listed contest at York so can get back to winning ways. Roudee looks a major threat as he looked promising on his Ripon debut then ran a fine race behind the potentially useful Mukhmal in the Lily Agnes at Chester where he was always in the firing line. Charlie's Star, who was close behind, was 7l behind Tiggy Wiggy at Kempton earlier so the advantage lies with the Hannon filly. Surprise Windsor winner Cajoling had a better chance in the abandoned and less demanding Hilary Needler Trophy at Beverley last night.
Cock Of The North 14-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 5f 2yo stks (4) sft in Mar beating Paddy Again (8-7) by 3l, 17 ran.
Escalating 13-8fav (9-1) Made most, driven and hard pressed when veered badly left over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at Ascot 5f 2yo stks (2) sft in Apr beating Kibaar (8-11) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Roudee 5-1 (9-1) Unseated rider behind stalls, led early, chased leading pair, went 2nd well over 1f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Mukhmal (9-7) at Chester 5f 2yo stks (2) gd.
Via Via (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Soon off the pace in 5th, switched right inside final 3f, headway soon after, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, went 2nd 1f out, stayed on to lead last 100 yards, snugly, won at Ripon 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd beating Roossey (9-5) by nk, 10 ran.
Bonnie Grey 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along halfway led entering final furlong, pushed along and ran on well, won at Warwick 5f 2yo mdn (5) sft beating Power Play (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Cajoling (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Always prominent, led over 1f out, ran on well, comfortably, won at Windsor 5f 2yo stks (5) gd beating Russian Heroine (9-0) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Tiggy Wiggy (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Patience Alexander (8-12) at York 5f 2yo fll Listed stks (1) gd.
