held up, headway when not clear run over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
always behind
dwelt, held up, headway over 2f out, switched right to challenge 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace
held up in touch, effort over 1f out, stayed on
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
broke well, soon held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon chased leaders, kept on same pace
slowly away, held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on
behind, struggling halfway, never dangerous
led, ridden and edged left over 1f out, headed and no extra close home
prominent, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up, never dangerous
Not too many of these are overly familiar with winning and so we will select Blythe Spirit as the likeliest winner, with Rudry World and Kingsmaite two for the shortlist. Richard Fahey's eight-year-old won two on the trot over course and distance in February and with this company decidedly easier than those competitive handicaps, he is given the vote to win again. Although not seen on turf for a while, he acts well on this ground and reunited with claiming jockey Jamie Moriarty (on board for his last victory), the partnership look sure to go well again. Kingsmaite usually runs his race but is now winless in his last twelve starts so cannot be truly fancied for win purposes. Wiltshire and Rudry World are two others to consider, and the market should help provide some invaluable clues, however Blythe Spirit is the most solid and gets the vote.
Blythe Spirit 10-1 (8-7) Held up, bumped over 3f out, ridden and edged left over 2f out, headway and hung left over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Magic Amour (8-2) at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol in Mar.
Kingsmaite 11-1 (10-7) With leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Windy Prospect (10-12) at Southwell 1m amt hcp (6) fbs.
Wiltshire (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Dwelt, towards rear, head over 3f out, never reached challenging position, 9th of 15, 9l behind Sawwaah (9-11) at Catterick 7f sll (6) gf.
Bold Tiger (IRE) 40-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, last of 12, 40l behind Zendaro (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m sll (6) gd in Aug.
Champagne Rossini (IRE) 80-1 (8-0) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 9th of 13, 11l behind Mister Incredible (8-2) at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs in Feb.
Dutch Key Card (IRE) 100-1 (8-4) Mid-division, never dangerous, last of 14, 9l behind Desert Opal (8-8) at Nottingham 5f hcap (5) gf.
Four Kings 150-1 (9-12) Led, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 13, 7l behind Gazboolou (8-12) at Musselburgh 7f mdn stk (5) gf.
Pontefract Glory 10-1 (8-11) Pulled hard in mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, 9l behind Firework (9-0) at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb.
Red Lantern 50-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, ridden on outer 3f out, never dangerous, last of 12, 10l behind Over To You Bert (8-5) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Mar.
Rudry World (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) In touch, lost place 4f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Whinhill House (9-13) at Southwell 6f sll (6) fbs.
Teddy Monty (IRE) 100-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, always in rear, last of 14, 33l behind Im Ova Ere Dad (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Cyfrwys (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 6l behind Siraj (9-0) at W'hampton 6f banded stk (7) pol in Nov.
Tantien 66-1 (8-4) Chased leader, lost place over 3f out, 11th of 13, 24l behind Majehar (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Tapsalteerie 100-1 (8-2) Soon outpaced and behind, 8th of 9, 13l behind Magic Amour (8-2) at W'hampton 6f clm (6) pol in Mar.