in touch, effort 2f out, kept on same pace
outpaced, never on terms
pressed leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
in touch over 3f
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong
slowly into stride, raced towards far side, in touch, weakened over 1f out
outpaced, switched left 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd near finish
slowly into stride, chased leaders after 1f, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
IMJIN RIVER won last year’s renewal and may finally come good again having strung together a frustrating run of seconds so far this year. Beaten only a head over course and distance last month, he finished ahead of Very First Blade and George Bailey and can go one better. Very First Blade had earlier beaten Wattaboutsteve and subsequent Chelmsford winner Red Flute here and is back on a winning mark but Pancake Day’s previous course wins came over 6f.
Very First Blade 9-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 7, 5 1/2l behind Oscars Journey (9-7) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Dandy Maid 66-1 (9-9) Went right start raced wide in touch in rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression, last of 6, 9 1/4l behind Paddy Power (9-3) at Chelmsford City 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Apr.
Pancake Day 14-1 (9-1) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 15, 32 1/4l behind Mitchum (9-5) at Thirsk 6f hcp (6) sft in Apr.
George Bailey (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) In touch, pushed along halfway, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 15 1/2l behind Coiste Bodhar (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Red Flute 9-2 (9-2) Switched sharply right to inside over 4f out, chased leaders, ridden and went 2nd inside final furlong until no extra and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Kuanyao (9-3) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Imjin River (IRE) 7-2cfav (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, switched left and effort inside final furlong, not quite reach winner, 2nd of 12, hd behind Coiste Bodhar (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Camanche Grey (IRE) 3-1jfav (9-7) Dwelt towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Spray Tan (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Wattaboutsteve 8-1 (8-12) Prominent, every chance over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Very First Blade (9-7) at Southwell 5f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Willow Spring 25-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, tracked leaders, not clear run and switched right well over 1f out, soon not much room, weakened inside final furlong, last of 9, 10 1/4l behind Lizzy's Dream (9-5) at Kempton 5f hcp (7) pol in Feb.