chased leader and soon pushed along, ridden and weakened 2f out
took keen hold, held up, ridden 2f out, kept on never nearer
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra near finish
short of room after 1f, chased leaders, effort over 1f out, no impression final furlong
slowly away, outpaced
slowly into stride, in rear, headway on outer when hampered 1f out, ran on to go 4th near finish
held up in rear, good headway entering final 2f, ridden to lead inside final furlong
chased leaders, headway and edged right over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken
led, ridden 2f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong
dwelt, mid-division, short of room over 3f out, ridden 2f out no impression
raced wide chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, edged right over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
The phrase 'wide-open' doesn't come close to describing this sprint handicap with only 2lbs covering the whole field, but now only a couple of pounds above his last winning mark we choose CHEERY CAT as the most likely winner, with Dream Express holding claims and Metropolitan Chief also among the leading players. A former course and distance winner the selection made a bold bid to get back on top last time. We can surmise he was expected to run a big race that day with Kieron Fallon taking the ride and we expect that connections mean business again with Robert Winston up for the first time. On a bare reading from their last meeting Dream Express is weighted to get the better of the pick and may well do so. He ran up to form in a seller on his return to the turf last time but he doesn't win all that often and at the forecast odds the selection represents better value. Metropolitan Chief found just the one too good when upped into this grade last time but his subsequent mark rise is offputting while Albero Di Giuda likes it here and could run into the places. Hardly anything splits the field here so Cheery Cat looks good value.
Prince Andjo (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Mid-division, weakened 2f out, 11th of 13, 17l behind Sairaam (8-12) at Thirsk 7f hcp (6) gd.
Dream Express (IRE) 15-2 (9-6) Hung right throughout, in rear, headway under pressure and carried head high approaching 1f out, never dangerous, 4th of 8, 6l behind Lastkingofscotland (9-12) at Folkestone 6f sell stks (6) gf in Apr.
Suhayl Star (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Broke well, tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 5l behind Copperwood (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Albero di Giuda (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) With leaders until ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 16, 12l behind Secret City (8-10) at Nottingham 6f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Dickie Le Davoir 20-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, in rear, effort over 1f out, never a factor, 12th of 13, 16l behind Tangerine Trees (9-3) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
Namu 15-2 (8-4) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, never able to challenge, 5th of 16, 2 1/4l behind Mayoman (8-11) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Only A Game (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Towards rear, ridden and headway well over 1f out, one pace, 7th of 13, 6l behind Sairaam (8-12) at Thirsk 7f hcp (6) gd.
Loyal Royal (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Slowly into stride, raced wide towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Ride A White Swan (11-0) at Wolverhampton 6f am hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
The History Man (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon edged left, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 16, 5l behind Secret City (8-10) at Nottingham 6f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Metropolitan Chief 10-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, headway and hung left over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Imperial Djay (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Apr.
Cheery Cat (USA) 13-2 (9-0) Chased leaders on outer, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Imperial Djay (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Apr.
Carnival Dream 20-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, driven and outpaced 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, no impression, 4th of 8, 4l behind Cawdor (9-0) at Hamilton 6f clm (6) gd.
Tamino (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Towards rear, pushed along and outpaced, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Imperial Djay (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Apr.
