chased leaders on outside, weakened 2f out
tracked leader on rail and always going well, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, soon pushed along and quickened clear, easily
outpaced in rear, ridden and edged left over 2f out, 4th and one pace over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden and edged left over over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never any chance with easy winner
awkward leaving stalls, led, ridden over 1f out, headed and outpaced inside final furlong, held on for 2nd
chased leaders, edged right halfway, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
Gene Autry should go well but BONHEURS ART is handicapped to beat him and gets the vote, with Vanilla Rum hard to rule out too. Barry Hills' filly was beaten three parts of a length by Gene Autry when the pair met in a course and distance maiden last term, in receipt of 5lbs. Having proved to be a shade disappointing last term she receives 10lbs now the pair meet in a handicap and having finally broken her duck at Ripon she seems to be an improved filly; her third last time was a fine effort and off the same mark and with conditions to suit she'll go well. Gene Autry drops in grade following a good effort in a competitive contest behind Swilly Ferry, a Barry Hills trained horse, and his mark is unaltered too. Prior to that he'd been narrowly denied off a couple of pounds lower and looks ready to win off this mark but we're of the belief he'll prove better over seven and at the weights Bonheurs Art looks the one, although it wouldn't be a total shock were Vanilla Rum to trump them both. Henry Candy's charge won a course and distance handicap last time from Mon Brav, who runs at Pontefract on Sunday. Prior to that he'd gone down fighting to a horse now rated 90 so this revised mark of 78 still appeals as more than fair and he's in the right hands to progress. Footstepsofspring has leagues to find with Gene Autry whilst the two furlong drop in trip is a concern for Fazza, so in a race where three can dominate we'll take Bonheurs Art to emerge on top.
Footstepsofspring (FR) 66-1 (8-6) Raced far side, always in rear, 13th of 17, 12l behind Swilly Ferry (9-1) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.
Gene Autry (USA) 7-1fav (8-1) Raced far side, chased leaders, effort over 1f out, led that group 1f out until inside final furlong, stayed on, 5th of 17, 4l behind Swilly Ferry (9-1) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.
Di Stefano 22-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, pushed along over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Bated Breath (9-7) at Pontefract 6f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Vanilla Rum 4-1 (9-0) Held up in touch on wide outside, headway over 2f out, pressed leaders over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, led on line, won at Windsor 6f 3yo stk 0-75 (5) gd beating Mon Brav (9-0) by ns, 11 ran.
Bonheurs Art (IRE) 11-2fav (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and no impression over 1f out, until driven and stayed on to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Fly Silca Fly (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 3yo fll hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Fazza 5-1 (9-2) Chased winner, pushed along and struggling halfway, no chance 3f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, 3rd of 4, 19l behind Greyfriarschorista (9-2) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
