held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no impression
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, hung left over 2f, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
went right start, in rear, head way and switched left over 2f out, kept on final furlong
tracked leader until over 5f out, regained 2nd 3f out, ridden over 1f out, lead inside final furlong, held on well, driven out
lead, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
Ebiayn and Megalala won't be easy to beat but UNCLE FRED might be able to do just that and open his account for the year. Our pick took third behind Joburg last time and shaped well that day, suggesting that his winning turn is near. That's backed up by his handicap rating of 79; his last win came off this mark on the all-weather and he's also won off 75 on turf, so as a horse who remains capable of better after just 12 starts it'll be disappointing if he can't win something off this sort of rating. Add to that the fact that the form of that third last time has been franked by the subsequent success of the winner and he's going to be hard to beat. Ebiayn won an ordinary Kempton maiden last time having struggled over timber this winter, but there's every chance he can continue to progress on the flat. Alan King has his runners in fair form on the level and this horse showed promise in his youth when with Michael Jarvis; a mark of 75 appears fair. Megalala is 4lbs higher than when second over this trip last time but should appreciate today's stronger handling. He acts well on quick ground and at this trip, but having had over 50 starts he's fully exposed and we're inclined to look elsewhere. Resentful Angel is considered unfortunate to be rated higher on turf than she is on artificial surfaces, particularly as the mare hasn't yet won on turf. She has been in good form of late over at Kempton but is best avoided until returning there, with this ground a shade lively too. Never Ending Tale is well treated but out of form having been beaten a combined 72 lengths in two starts this term, although connections reach for blinkers and they could help. In all probability though this race will concern three, with Uncle Fred just preferred over Ebiayn and Megalala.
Uncle Fred 22-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, led going well 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Jo'burg (8-11) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Never Ending Tale 28-1 (9-6) Raced far side, always in rear, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 27l behind Perfect Shot (9-6) at Newmarket 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Franco Is My Name 14-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, some headway on outside over 2f out, soon beaten, 10th of 14, 9l behind Submariner (9-1) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Ebiayn (FR) 12-1 (10-0) Prominent, led over 3f out, kept on well, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar beating Celtic Commitment (10-0) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Resentful Angel 15-2 (8-12) Held up in last trio, headway on wide outside and driven along over 2f out, stayed on into 3rd final 50 yards, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Penchesco (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr.
Archie Rice (USA) 20-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, led well over 6f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 18th of 19, 25l behind Kindest (9-5) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Megalala (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Led, headed narrowly inside final furlong, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Bavarica (11-2) at Newbury 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gf.
