slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
behind, pushed along 4f out, never a factor
took keen hold in mid-division, driven along 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, led 4f out to over 2f out, weakened and eased over 1f out, tailed off
never reached beyond mid-division
took keen hold in touch, weakened over 2f out
led for 1f, remained prominent, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off
driven to lead after 1f, hard driven from 2f out, stayed on under strong pressure throughout final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride and always towards rear
chased winner to over 1f out, unable to quicken final furlong
mid-division, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up in rear, driven along 4f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, pushed along and stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
slowly into stride, soon in touch, pushed along 3f out, headway 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
Typically of one trained by Sir Mark Prescott, Ballet Boy had three runs as a juvenile over inadequate trips and now makes his reappearance and handicap debut over a more suitable 1m2f so looks potentially well treated and gets the vote to open his account ahead of Sir Duke and Sonara. The last mentioned has shown a consistent level of form this term and is entitled to be thereabouts again but may have to settle for minor honours. Top weight Natural Action seems plenty high enough in the handicap for what he has achieved, while Calculating was well held on his return in a Newmarket handicap and now looks best watched. Pat Eddery's Lapina should be thereabouts again but a bigger threat may come from recent Redcar winner Sir Duke. Ballet Boy is potentially well treated for his handicap debut stepping up to a more suitable distance though and he is preferred.
Natural Action 11-4 (9-0) Uneasy stalls, tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, unable to quicken final furlong, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Royal Rationale (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 1f mdn aut stk (5) gf in May.
Calculating (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Held up, never dangerous, 11th of 17, 16l behind Oceana Gold (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in May.
Up In Arms (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden, switched right over 3f out, kept on, 8th of 13, 7l behind Mutual Friend (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in May.
Central Force 10-1 (8-9) Led, strongly pressed and headed inside final 2f, lost 2nd over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Marzelline (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn fll (5) gf.
Sonara (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Dee Cee Elle (9-1) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gd in May.
Ballet Boy (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Dwelt, soon in touch, pushed along 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 4th of 8, 10l behind Ava's World (8-9) at Catterick 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sept.
Lapina (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Seeking The Buck (9-7) at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) frm.
Sir Duke (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden to lead final furlong, won at Redcar 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) gf beating Amanda Carter (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.