led, clear 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, headed and no extra close home
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden 2f out, never near to challenge
mid-division, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, ran on final furlong, nearest at finish
took keen hold behind leaders, pushed along halfway, soon outpaced
prominent, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride and towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression
towards rear, never dangerous
took keen hold and was held up mid-division, never a factor
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied at start, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Shifty is chasing the hat-trick and is given the vote here with Bollin Edward and Banjo Bay rated as the main dangers. The selection is in cracking form and is unpenalised for winning an apprentice handicap at Southwell last time. He has conditions to suit and looks the one to beat. Bollin Edward is not the most straightforward of characters, but he will be suited by the step-up in trip and if he is on a going day then he could go close. Banjo Bay was a close second behind Sir Bond last time and if he could reproduce that effort here then he will not be far away at the finish. He will have no problem with the ground conditions so he has an obvious chance. Nemo Fugat and Queen's Echo are both fairly consistent and are worth considering to claim some place money, but Shifty is in great form and looks worth supporting to complete a hat-trick of wins.
Banjo Bay (IRE) 11-2 Led, ridden clear over 1f out, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 14, nk behind Sir Bond at Musselburgh 7f hcp gd in Apr.
Nemo Fugat (IRE) 17-2 Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Sir Bond at Musselburgh 7f hcp gd in Apr.
Queen's Echo 12-1 Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Oceancookie at Warwick 7f fll hcp gd.
Compton Micky 5-1 Held up, ridden over 2f, headway over 1f, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 5l behind Wainwright at Southwell 6f hcp fbs in Apr.
Mon Secret (IRE) 8-1 Chased leaders, headway 3f out, soon ridden, led over 1f out, kept on, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Shifty at Southwell 7f app hcp fbs in Apr.
Shifty 13-2 Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong to lead near finish, won at Southwell 7f app hcp fbs in Apr beating Mon Secret by 1l, 11 ran.
Golden Spectrum (IRE) 10-3fav Chased leaders, led 3f out, soon ridden, headed 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Lord Conyers at Redcar 7f sll gd in Apr.
Quincannon (USA) 14-1 Held up, weakened 3f out, 11th of 13, 11l behind Qobtaan at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp pol in Apr.