held up in mid-division, headway 2f out, driven and stayed on one pace fina furlong
led after 1f, headed over 2f out, hampered on rail 2f out, soon switched left, eased when held inside final furlong
in touch, hard ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, in last pair, no chance when hampered over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up in last pair, headway on wide outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, ran on under pressuer to lead final 100 yards
chased leaders, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
keen hold, raced wide in mid-division, headway over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, soon edged right, headed final 100 yards, kept on
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden over 3f out, losing place when hampered on rail over 2f out, virtually pulled up final furlong, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway on inside halfway, pushed along 3f out, stayed on under pressure to chase leading pair final furlong
led for 1f, tracked leader to over 4f out, ridden over 2f out weakened
We expect this decent handicap to fall to Conkering, with Folio and South O' The Border put forward as the main rivals. James Fanshawe's three-year-old had shown plenty of promise last season and following plenty of support, comfortably landed a soft ground maiden on his seasonal return. The faster ground is a slight conmcern but he doesn't look badly treated for his handicap debut and he looks the best option. Folio gained an overdue success at Ripon last month, just getting up to beat Little Jimbob. He may struggle to follow up with ten stone on his back this evening. South O' The Border has been a model of consistency but as a consequence is getting no help from the handicapper and he may be set for a bit part again this evening. Which brings us back to the most likely winner and that is Conkering.
Folio (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Held up, smooth progress on inner over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Ripon 1m 2f hcap (4) gf in Jun beating Little Jimbob (9-2) by a nk, 9 ran.
Rawdon (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Chased leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 3l behind Dragon Slayer (9-9) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
South O'The Border 5-1 (8-7) In touch, led over 1f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Corran Ard (9-4) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Della Salute 9-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 3f out, hard ridden to chase leader over 1f out, led last half furlong, driven out, won at Windsor 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gf beating Whatizzit (9-6) by a nk, 9 ran.
Brief Goodbye 9-2fav (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden and one pace from over 1f out, 7th of 11, 4l behind Dragon Slayer (9-9) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Nightspot 11-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway 3f out, chased winner 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Tashkandi (9-7) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
Forthright 8-1 (10-0) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Optimus (9-8) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Conkering (USA) 5-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Ripon 1m 3yo mdn (5) sft in Apr beating Angel Voices (8-12) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Urban Tiger (GER) 9-2 (9-4) Dwelt, headway and switched left over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on to lead post, won at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jun beating Black Beauty (9-7) by a shd, 13 ran.
Bridegroom 8-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, switched left and one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Sol Rojo (11-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Storm On The Run (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression until hung right and stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Fiefdom (9-10) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
