in touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out until inside final furlong
led, headed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, never going pace to challenge
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden clear 2f out, stayed on
always in rear
in touch, ridden along over 3f out and no headway, driven to chase winner inside final furlong
held up, looking for room from over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, never dangerous
slowly away, took keen hold, always in rear
held up, wide and headway to chase leaders halfway, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, in rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never near leaders
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
Spinning Ridge is a bit of a near miss merchant so is overlooked in this competitive handicap field and with Straight Face hard to assess after recent contrasting efforts we are led to side with IMPERIAL DJAY. Two wins in 33 three starts probably says it all about the pick but both of those victories have come in the last three runs. The latest was last time out at Newcastle and although he has it to prove off a rating this high there was a lot to like about his win over a slightly shorter trip here three starts back. Spinning Ridge has a very frustrating habit of finding one or two too good and until that sequence is ended we'll look elsewhere. Straight Face likes to win late in the day so will need plenty of luck in running in this field and although 3lbs better off than when running a stinker last time that leaves enough doubts. Blue Noodles was a winner on his only start at this track and based on his penultimate run has every chance, but with his last run also poor we prefer Imperial Djay.
Cut And Thrust (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Led, headed 3f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Justcallmehandsome (8-8) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr.
Blue Noodles 8-1 (8-12) In rear ridden 4f out, never a factor, last of 11, 22l behind Flores Sea (9-2) at Southwell 7f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Apr.
Straight Face (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Awkward start, chased leaders, ridden to challenge well over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 23l behind Realt Na Mara (9-13) at Lingfield 7f ladies am hcap 0-75 (5) gf.
Spinning Ridge (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Behind, wide straight, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Expensive Problem (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
All About You (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, kept on same pace final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 5l behind Justcallmehandsome (8-8) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr.
Running Flame (IRE) 100-1 (8-5) Behind, pushed along halfway, headway 1f out, soon ridden, kept on, 6th of 15, 6l behind Averoo (8-4) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Imperial Djay (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Held up towards rear, not much room 2f out, ridden and headway 1f out, ran on well to lead inside final furlong, won at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf beating King's Sabre (8-6) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Silver Hotspur 20-1 (9-6) Started very slowly, pulled hard and always in rear, last of 7, 14l behind Look Officer (9-1) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Jan.
Woolston Ferry (IRE) 7-2fav (9-0) Raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 12, 19l behind Chief Red Cloud (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Bob Stock (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Raced in final trio, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Lopinot (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
Location 28-1 (8-10) In rear, never near leaders, 8th of 12, 11l behind Chief Red Cloud (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
The Graig 33-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 13l behind Dabbers Ridge (9-10) at Beverley 1m sell stks (5) gd in Apr.
