slowly into stride, took keen hold, headway 10f out, soon prominent, every chance 3f out, weakened over 1f out
made most, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, brought to stands side well over 1f out, ran on and hung left inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, led on bit over 1f out, shaken up inside final furlong, ran on well
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, well beaten 2f out
prominent, ridden 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, edged right entering final furlong, one pace
mid-division, took keen hold, steadied into rear after 2f, headway on outside over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, steadied after 2f, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
in touch on outside, weakened over 5f out, tailed off
took keen hold, prominent, challenged 4f out until over 2f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
WHAT A DAY gets the vote to beat Andorn in the first, with Sand Repeal and Decibel others to consider in an open heat. Our selection is yet to win a race from 15 starts so caution is advised, but he ran well behind an in-form rival last time. That horse has subsequently franked the form and our pick won't be inconvenienced should any rain fall, whilst this mark of 52 is one which should enable him to find a small race; the booking of top amateur Simon Walker closes the case. Andorn arrives in grand form having landed helped connections land a touch last time. That was in a poor seller but he returns to handicap company with his mark of 54 unchanged; he placed off much higher marks last summer and won a Listed race in his days in Germany, so a big run looks in store although the fact he's yet to win a handicap on these shores is slightly off-putting. Sand Repeal isn't getting any younger but he ran well enough last time to be of interest over what is certainly his trip. He's won on a variety of ground and is down to a career low mark. Decibel didn't offer a great deal on his handicap debut last time but this drop in trip may help and he's not had many tries, so under Joshua Moore a better performance is expected. City Stable was well backed last time before disappointing but he could bounce back if the market suggests he's going to whilst It's Josr will need to be at his best returning from a break to defy a rise in the weights for taking second last time. Jackie Kiely is long in the tooth now and perhaps better on artificial surfaces and Mossmann Gorge was disappointing with conditions to suit last time so we'll return to What A Day in a complex opener.
Laconicos (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 7th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Litenup (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (0-55) (6) pol.
Hurricane Thomas (IRE) 17-2 (9-10) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 8th of 13, 8l behind Dragon Slayer (10-1) at Nottingham 1m 2f ladies hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Oct.
Drawn Gold 13-2 (9-4) Reared start, slowly away, headway to track after 2f until 7f out, remained close up, switched left over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 10, 4l behind Haljaferia (9-11) at Newmarket 1m 4f ladies hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
City Stable (IRE) 15-8fav (9-2) Held up, in touch over 12f out, going well enough 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon edged left and no impression, stayed on same pace, 5th of 9, 4l behind If I Had Him (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Jackie Kiely 9-1 (8-10) Behind, ridden and effort on outside 3f out, stayed on under pressure final 2f, never nearer, 5th of 12, 9l behind Jezza (8-4) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May.
Sand Repeal (IRE) 12-1 (8-2) Chased leading pair, ridden and one pace 2f out, no impression over 1f out, lost 3rd final 100 yards, 4th of 5, 2 3/4l behind Penang Cinta (8-13) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
What A Day 5-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on under pressure final 2f to go 3rd near finish, no impression, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Tropical Bachelor (8-13) at Ripon 1m 4f sll hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
It's Josr 8-1 (8-12) Pulled hard in mid-division, headway under pressure over 1f out, never nearer, 2nd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Giant Sequoia (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Decibel 10-1 (9-3) Dictated modest pace, ridden when clear well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 7, 6l behind Dan's Heir (8-8) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Wusuul 16-1 (8-12) Dwelt, soon chasing leaders, switched right 3f out, ridden and wandered over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 11l behind My Flame (9-0) at Brighton 7f hcp (6) gf in Apr '09.
Mossmann Gorge 5-1fav (8-5) Took keen hold, tracked leading trio, ran wide straight, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 14l behind Le Corvee (8-1) at Lingfield 1m 3f hcp (6) gf.
Bungie 300-1 (8-9) Rider late removing blindfold and slowly away, always behind, 8th of 9, 14l behind Silver Wind (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Jan '09.
Andorn (GER) 5-6fav (8-9) Held up, took keen hold, headway 12f out, went 2nd 6f out, ridden over 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on, won at Redcar 1m 6f 4-6yo app sell stks (6) gd beating Media Stars (9-0) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
