prominent, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, pushed along halfway, some late headway, never reached challenging position
dwelt, behind, never a factor
towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
prominent, driven over 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven, one pace final furlong
towards rear, pushed along, brought wide 3f out, never reached challenging position
prominent, ridden along over 2f out, driven, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, effort over 3f out, soon beaten
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, led over 2f out, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong
Birdie Birdie, Shandelight and Flamestone are three against the field in another tough race to call for punters and the tentative vote is given to Birdie Birdie. The selection was a fair fifth last time out behind Mick Is Back, the booking of Eddie Ahern catches the eye and the step up in trip also in his favour. He looks the one to be on. Shandelight rates the main danger in his latest fourth behind Mountain Climb. However the fact that connections already go for cheekpieces is off putting and he is taken on with this in mind. Flamestone is another that could go well on his best form but he looked far from straightforward last time and is taken on with this in mind. Of the remainder, Don Pasquale is from an in-form yard and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Birdie Birdie who looks sure to run his race.
Barzak (IRE) 12-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, always behind, 11th of 12, 17l behind Middle Eastern (8-8) at Southwell 7f app hcp (6) fbs.
Bond Free Spirit (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden along over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 9, 27l behind Northern Dare (8-7) at Thirsk 6f mdn aut stk (5) gf in Apr.
Don Pasquale 40-1 (8-8) In touch, headway to chase winner over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Jarvo (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol.
Faiths Perfection (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Towards rear, effort on outer 3f out, no extra before straight, 10th of 13, 31l behind Museo (9-11) at Tramore 1m 4f hcp 45-70 hvy in Oct.
Ming Vase 14-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 11, 6l behind The Grey One (8-9) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Apr.
Birdie Birdie 25-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden and lost place over 5f out, headway over 3f out, one pace, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Mick Is Back (8-9) at W'hampton 7f 3yo sll (6) pol in Mar.
Flamestone 33-1 (8-5) Always rear division, 11th of 15, 9l behind Sawwaah (9-11) at Catterick 7f sll (6) gf in Apr.
Shandelight (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) Behind, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to trouble leaders, 4th of 16, 3l behind Mountain Climb (9-0) at Bath 1m Stks (41-45) (7) frm in Apr.