tracked leader, led over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, eased close home
keen hold, prominent, soon steadied, in touch, driven over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden, effort over 2f out, soon lost place
steadied in rear, ridden, headway over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, lost place over 4f out
led, ridden, headed over 1f out, rallied, battled gamely inside final furlong, just held
held up, ridden over 4f out, soon under pressure, weakened
behind, keen early, pushed along over 4f out, soon beaten
Bentley Brook, The King And I and Cotton Eyed Joe look the three to concentrate on in this tight handicap and the tentative nomination is given to Cotton Eyed Joe. The selection hails from the in form Alan Swinbank yard, won well last time out when beating Pertemps Network, and despite his penalty he looks the one to be on. The King And I rates the main danger as he also won last time out when beating Mid Valley but this looks more competitive and he looks vulnerable under his penalty. Bentley Brook was a fair second behind Tartan Tie last time out but again he looks vulnerable under top weight. Jackie Kiely is game and consistent and is sure to run her race but she is another that looks weighted up to her best. Of the remainder Sri Kuantan hails from a yard in form and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Cotton Eyed Joe.
Bentley Brook (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to go 3rd 3f out, driven and chased winner entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Tartan Tie (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Sri Kuantan (IRE) 11-4 (9-6) Prominent, ridden to chase leader 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 4l behind Emperor Court (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
The King And I (IRE) 15-8fav (9-4) Close up, joined leader 2f out, shaken up to lead 1f out, soon edged right, ran on, won at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Apr beating Mid Valley (7-11) by 2l, 5 ran.
Jackie Kiely 11-1 (9-5) Slowly away, held up towards rear, ridden and headway on outer over 3f out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Cotton Eyed Joe (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr.
Exit to Luck (GER) 13-2 (8-12) Tracked leader, led over 8f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, lost place over 2f out, last of 7, 25l behind Cotton Eyed Joe (8-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr.
Black Falcon (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, headway halfway, led over 6f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Calzaghe (9-6) at Southwell 1m 4f app hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Moonwalking 22-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 15, 16l behind Pee Jay's Dream (8-7) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr.
Iceman George 18-1 (9-4) Soon led at steady pace, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 14, 7l behind Royal Premier (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Cotton Eyed Joe (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Towards rear, mid-division over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Nero West (8-7) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.