chased leaders, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
chased leaders, went 2nd over 5f out until 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, dropped to rear halfway, behind final 6f, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 6f out, chased winner going well 5f out, soon ridden and ran green, one pace final furlong
pressed leader, led 7f out, ridden 3f out, stayed on gamely final furlong
chased leaders on outside, lost place after 3f, in rear halfway, swerved badly left then right and unseated rider over 6f out
mid-division, headway 7f out, weakened over 3f out
held up in rear, struggling over 4f out, passed beaten horses final 2f, no chance
led, headed 7f out, weakened over 5f out, tailed off
tracked leaders, raced keenly, lost place after 6f, no chance final 6f, tailed off
mid-division, headway after 6f, weakened over 5f out
held up in rear, ridden along halfway, behind final 5f
The bumper rounds off proceedings, and it looks to be between ROSES, Knight In Purple and Cocoa Key, with the first named getting our vote. A market check's essential though given the newcomers and the lack in depth of form. The selection though is two from two in this sort of race, and Alan Swinbank's filly can make it a hat-trick. Roses has got half a stone in hand on her two male rivals from the shortlist, both of whom won last time out which was their second race. All have scope to further improve, but there could be a newcomer who jumps out of the pack. Nigel Twiston-Davies' debutant Iron Steve could be anything, but he does well here. A close watch on the market's essential, but we think the one to beat is Roses.
Cocoa Key (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, rallied over 1f out, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Doncaster 2m NH flat (6) gd in Feb beating Barron Watlass (11-2) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Knight In Purple 14-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 4f out, edged left 3f out, kept on, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr beating Doctor Foxtrot (10-10) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Cityar (FR) Sagacity gelding out of Starry Dust.
My Shamwari (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Quilty Rose.
Roses 3-1 (10-7) Prominent, led 4f out, driven and kept on gamely final furlong, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr beating Sonowyouno (11-3) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Iron Steve (IRE) Heron Island gelding out of Decent River.
Shame The Devil (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) In touch, weakened 3f out, 14th of 18, 30l behind Suburban Bay (10-9) at Warwick 1m 6f 3yo nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Riverbank Ruby 28-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, led after 4f, headed over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, 8th of 10, well behind Titus Andronicus (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Sheila's Castle 17-2 (11-0) Towards rear, headway into moderate 6th before straight, ridden and kept on without threatening, 5th of 20, 12l behind Battle In Hand (11-1) at Galway 2m N H flat gd in Jul.
Southern Miss (IRE) Anshan filly out of Smart Approach.
Bobbisox (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 10f out, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 20, 29l behind Lady Vera (11-1) at Warwick 2m mrs NH flat (4-7yo) (6) gs in Mar.
Hi Ho Silvia 25-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 5f out, weakened at 3f out, tailed off, last of 11, 34l behind Miss Overdrive (10-11) at Southwell 2m N H flat (5) gd in Mar.
Ebur Mac 40-1 (10-7) Behind, effort over 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 18l behind Cape Tribulation (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Mar '08.
Red Reloaded (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, led after 5f, headed over 2f out, soon beaten, 9th of 16, 34l behind Malakai (10-12) at Hexham 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
