tracked leaders, lost action and pulled up over 5f out
mid-division, improved to track leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd post
led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, led 1f out, driven out (hand timed)
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, badly hampered over 5f out, not a danger after
in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
in rear, outpaced 4f out, never dangerous
Gaily Noble is a bit of a course specialist but his recent best has come in plating company so in this pretty decent handicap we prefer JUST FIVE, who is on a hat-trick, while Espero is interesting on his handicap bow. After demolishing a Beverley claiming field the pick then showed a better level of form to just get up on the line to scorein a handicap at the same venue. He looks versatile as far as the ground is concerned and given he has hit a purple patch we'll take him to score again off a three pound higher mark. Gaily Noble is two from two over course and distance including landing a claimer last time. A similar run might be enough to challenge now back in this company off a competitive mark. Espero hasn¿t quite lived up to the form of his second run when just beaten but the smart Royal Destination. As a result his mark might be on the high side for his first handicap start despite scoring in a maiden last time. Rising Prospect may have needed his seasonal debut run and was thought Group class last season so any market support for this one would be interesting however Just Five is on a roll and can land a hat-trick.
Rising Prospect 3-1 (9-2) Held up in mid div, pushed along and effort over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 6l behind Ithinkbest (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Laurie Grove (IRE) 5-1fav (9-2) Held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, soon lost place, last of 16, 31l behind Victoria Sponge (9-2) at Salisbury 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Gaily Noble (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Made all, 2 lengths clear over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, driven out final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo clm stks (6) pol beating Johnmanderville (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Espero (IRE) 5-6fav (8-12) In touch, raced keenly, ridden entering final furlong, ran on well to lead close home, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Sep beating Illuminative (9-3) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Wee Giant (USA) 66-1 (8-5) Held up towards rear, weakened well over 2f out, last of 15, 21l behind Luc Jordan (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Just Five (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, chased leader approaching 1f out, driven and wore down leader to lead post, won at Beverley 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep beating Amethyst Dawn (8-4) by hd, 8 ran.
Dream In Waiting 16-1 (9-4) Never better than mid-divison, 13th of 19, 27l behind Starla Dancer (8-11) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Rio Cobolo (IRE) 18-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 16, 9l behind Cawdor (9-1) at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft.