tracked leaders, headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to go 2nd near finish
chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up, always towards rear
raced keenly, held up in rear, ridden and headway well over 1f out, kept on, never on terms
mid-division, lost place 3f out, no danger after
tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra final 75yds
held up, ridden 2f out, kept on, never nearer
tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure final furlong to lead final 75yds all out
mid-division, headway 3f out, soon ridden to chase leaders, no impression final furlong
led, headed 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
raced keenly, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders and hung left from over 1f out, kept on
never better than mid-division
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer nearest finish
This could hardly be more open, so a split stakes approach with old rivals Kaymich Perfecto and Effidium is the recommended betting strategy, while Hulla Ballew, Passion Fruit and Bond Diamond also have claims on the best of their efforts and make up the shortlist of players. The last named has dropped to a very handy mark and arrives here after a solid effort at Nottingham last time out. His yard has sent out a couple of winners during the last fortnight, so the son of Prince Sabo is worth noting in the betting market. Passion Fruit goes well for Paul Mulrennan and is expected to strip fitter after his reappearance at Redcar last month. He has the blinkers re-fitted today and can go close if he copes with this faster ground. Hulla Ballew likes to come with a late rattle and is sure to be a popular choice when the best of his form is taken into account. However, this flat surface may not play to his strengths and he will need a really strong gallop for his stamina to come into play. Therefore, we turn to the well handicapped Kaymich Perfecto and Efidium is the search for some value against the field. The duo are closely matched on their course form of last season and, as both have proved themselves capable of maximizing themselves at Thirsk, we fancy it will be close between them once more. Kaymich Perfecto would be the preferred option in the event of them both being available at the same odds.
Go Solo 20-1 (9-6) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, edged left over 1f out, never in contention, 8th of 11, 6l behind Malcheek (9-9) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-85 (4) frm in May.
Tough Love 9-1 (9-1) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 11, 8l behind Malcheek (9-9) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-85 (4) frm in May.
Major Magpie (IRE) 6-5fav (8-13) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 6th of 9, 8l behind Royal Dignitary (9-4) at Musselburgh 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Passion Fruit 8-1 (9-4) Slowly away, behind, stayed from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 8, 7l behind Miss Meggy (9-10) at Redcar 7f fll hcp (4) gd in May.
Hula Ballew 3-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, prominent over 3f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Mistress Twister (8-11) at Hamilton 1m fll hcp (4) gf in May.
Kaymich Perfecto 25-1 (8-10) Prominent, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Exit Smiling (9-4) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in May.
Bond Diamond 12-1 (8-5) Slowly away, held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Rain Stops Play (9-10) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Zanjeer 6-1 (9-4) In touch, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Jubilee Street (9-4) at Beverley 7f hcp (5) gd in Sept.
