prominent, ridden over 4f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, led on bit 1f out, easily
always behind
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon weakaned
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, one pace final furlong
behind, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous
led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, stayed on
mid-division, headway over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
behind, headway to chase leader after 3f, to over 2f out, weakened quickly
towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
Spear has been contesting much stronger handicaps and should be good enough to take this lowly affair, Maggie Tulliver and Shankly Bond appear to be the main dangers. David Loder's colt appeared to find the mile and three-quarters stretching his stamina at Yarmouth last time and will be much better suited by today's drop in trip. He finished an excellent fourth behind Loch Quest at Windsor back in May and a repeat of that effort should be good enough here. Shankly Bond comes here in winning form having easily beaten Dawn At Sea at Beverley. If he can transfer that ability to the all-weather he should be in the frame at least. Maggie Tulliver has to be considered a live danger if reproducing her course victory. She hails from a yard in form and may have just needed her recent outing at Salisbury. Dreadnought is from a yard that is starting to fire on all cylinders and may do best of the others, however if Spear can handle this surface he will be hard to beat.
Maggie Tulliver (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Held up in touch, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out, 6th of 9, 11l behind Natalie Jane (9-3) at Salisbury 1m 2f fll hcp (4) gf.
Spear (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Keen, tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden hung right and headed 1f out, 4th of 10, 4l behind Bulwark (9-5) at Yarmouth 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) frm.
Chief Dipper 5-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, 8th of 13, 7l behind Boo (8-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Heybrook Boy (USA) 9-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, pushed along over 5f out, ridden 3f out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 9l behind Saadigg (9-4) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Shankly Bond (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Held up, headway on inner over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left and kept on final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo mdn aut (5) gf beating Dawn At Sea (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Lunar Sky (USA) 25-1 (9-2) Led 1f, remained close up, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 15, 18l behind Detroit City (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 6f 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Muzdaherha 6-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, ran wide bend 5f out, headway on wide outside when ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 16, 9l behind Hidden Chance (9-4) at Windsor 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gf.
Athens (IRE) 9-1 (8-9) Held up, headway on outside well over 1f out, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Lunar Sky (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
