weakened 2f out
headway over 3f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, pushed clear
held up, led 9f out, ridden over 4f out, headed and weakened over 1f out
bump start, mid-division, rapid headway over 3f out to chase leaders, weakened over 1f out
ridden and weakened over 1f out
ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, headway on inside to lead briefly over 1f out, not pace of winner
headway over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden headway over 1f out, not reached leaders
ridden and lost place 5f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on
held up, headway on outside over 3f out, one pace to final furlong
Always Best, Laughing Game and King of The Beers should be good enough to contest the finish in this handicap and the vote is given to Always Best. This 3-year-old from the Mark Johnston yard was a little disappointing last time at Beverley but this step-up in trip will play to his strengths and he can resume winning ways. Laughing Game is a lightly-raced filly and she has to be of interest on her handicap debut. Her maiden form is very respectable and if the market speaks in her favour then it could pay to take the hint. King Of The Beers disappointed over this trip last time, but he did shape encouragingly when second behind Dee Cee Elle over 1m3f on his penultimate start. That form has seen been franked so if gets home then he would have to enter calculations. Reg Hollinshead does well with his runners here so Giddywell is not without hope and could represent the each-way value in the race, but Always Best could be the best here and gets our vote.
Always Best 15-2 (8-8) In touch, ridden along over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, weakened inside, 5th of 9, 5l behind Guiseppe Verdi (9-4) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in May.
King of The Beers (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Mid-division, lost place after 3f, headway over 2f out, no further impression, 7th of 15, 10l behind Jafaru (9-1) at Chepstow 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) gd in May.
Laughing Game 33-1 (8-3) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, every chance over 1f out, not pace of winner, kept on well for 2nd final furlong, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Spiderback (8-9) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn aut stk (5) pol in May.
Giddywell 33-1 (8-8) Towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Polyquest (8-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gd in May.
Royal Tender (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden 6f out, eased when beaten over 1f out, last of 10, well behind Pret A Porter (9-1) at Warwick 1m 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
Mud Monkey 16-1 (9-1) Slowly away and always behind, 12th of 13, 14l behind Graceful Steps (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) gf in May.
Conny Nobel (IRE) 7-2fav (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Solidgoldesyaction (8-7) at W'hampton 7f 3yo sll (6) pol in Apr.
Salto Chico 20-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 13, 16l behind Dee Cee Elle (8-10) at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Apr.