chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, every chance inside last, just held
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, right rein broke over 4f out, ridden to lead over 3f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f
held up, weakened 3f out
slowly into stride, in rear, raced wide from over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
chased leader, hampered over 4f out, soon lost place
chased leaders, lost place over 4f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
Nonrunner
This is a very tight heat and a number of runners, including Ballygriffin Kid, Sling Back, Risk Free and Pharoah's Gold, can be considered, but we will side with Risk Free. The selection has been running well of late and is actually six pounds better off for the three lengths he finished behind Ballygriffin Kid at Lingfield earlier in the month. That should bring them closer together, although supporters of Ballygriffin Kid will claim that his chance is at least the equal of Risk Free. As we've said, it's a tight race. With Accendere's penalty likely to make things tricky for him, Sling Back, a lightly-raced and consistent maiden, might come into the picture being stepped up to a mile today, while Pharoah's Gold has been placed from today's mark recently, so can maybe get amongst the money again. Of the others, Three Ships seemed to improve for blinkers last time, but would need to again; Baylaw Star has been placed from slightly higher marks but, remarkably in some ways, is untried at today's trip; Surdoue is effective from today's mark at this trip, despite having won over further; Knickynackienoo is well-weighted on the best of his Turf form; Rocky Reppin continues to improve, but is up another five pounds for a a Banded Stakes win, and Waltzing Wizard suggested last time that a step up to today's trip might suit. Inappropriately-named he might be, but Risk Free gets the call in the finale.
Accendere 10-3 Pulled hard, close up, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 50 yards, won at Southwell 1m sll (G4) fbs beating Noul by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ballygriffin Kid 9-4fav Always prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Iced Diamond at W'hampton 7f hcp (F4) pol.
Sling Back (IRE) 11-2 In touch, ridden to go 2nd and edged left over 1f out, not trouble winner, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Nan Jan at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (D3) pol.
Baylaw Star 9-2fav Chased leaders, hard driven over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Indian Maiden at Lingfield 6f amt hcp (E3) pol in Jan.
Risk Free 7-2fav Behind, stayed on under pressure from over 1f out, but never dangerous, 4th of 11, 3l behind Ballygriffin Kid at Lingfield 1m hcp (F4) pol.
Surdoue 5-1 Led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 9l behind Simply The Guest at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (F4) fbs.
Knickyknackienoo 10-1 Behind, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong, 8th of 12, 6l behind Sorbiesharry at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (F4) pol.
Pharoah's Gold (IRE) 9-1 Held up behind, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 13, 7l behind Fraternity at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (H5) pol.
Rocky Reppin 20-1 Held up in touch, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 7f sll (G4) fbs beating Smart Scot by 5l, 10 ran.
Waltzing Wizard 14-1 Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Set Alight at Southwell 7f stk (G4) fbs in Jan.
Shifty 13-8fav Keen, chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 4l behind Loaded Gun at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (H5) pol.
Three Ships 12-1 Held up, ridden and headway 3f out, every chance inside final furlong, unable to quicken near finish, 4th of 14, 1l behind Abbeygate at Southwell 1m app mdn hcp 0-60 (F4) fbs.
Rosti 10-1 Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Kumakawa at Southwell 7f stk (H5) std.
