dwelt and towards rear, driven halfway, headway over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, no extra close home
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on final furlong
chased leaders to halfway
led, driven and headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
Mister Becks edges preference over Mujelle, while Hillbilly Cat has to be respected after winning over c&d three days ago but has more on his plate under a 6lb penalty in this slightly stiffer contest. That said, David Barron's runners are holding their form well at present and another bold bid cannot confidently be ruled out. Even so, he is not one to trust implicitly and would make limited appeal at cramped odds. Mujelle won his maiden here last December but was a little below par in two subsequent starts. Admittedly this is a touch easier than the Newmarket race he ran in last time and he could very easily bounce back here. Nevertheless, Mister Becks looks a more sporting option when the best of his efforts are taken into account. John McAuley got a real tune out of the three-year-old here 18 days ago and a similar effort would bring the partnership right into the reckoning. McAuley's 5lb does him no harm and a bold bid is anticipated.
Bold Argument (IRE) 22-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Stanley Goodspeed (9-0) at Nottingham 6f 3yo mdn aut (5) gf in May.
Smile For Us 17-2 (9-4) Raced stands' side, slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, hung left halfway, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 21l behind Sunderland Echo (8-9) at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp (5) sft in May.
Mujelle 50-1 (8-8) Raced centre, chased leader, never dangerous, no chance with far side, 16th of 19, 17l behind Inaminute (8-8) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (5) gs in May.
Fikri 18-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened, 8th of 9, 35l behind Reem Three (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Apr.
Hillbilly Cat (USA) 11-4fav (8-4) Reared start, soon chasing leaders, ridden to lead just over 2f out, flashed tail inside final furlong, driven out, won at Southwell 6f 3yo clm (6) fbs in May beating Mystic Queen (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Leonards Girl (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) 6th of 9, 9l behind Seven Gold Rings (8-10) at Bellewstown 5f 2yo hcp gd in Aug.
Mister Becks (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs in May beating Bekoning (9-0) by 1l, 13 ran.
Shopfitter 50-1 (8-4) Raced far side, in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 13l behind Sunderland Echo (8-9) at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp (5) sft in May.