slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway from 3f out, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, nearest finish
towards rear, headway 3f out, ran on well inside final furlong to lead near post
mid-division, ridden 5f out, soon outpaced, tailed off final 2f
mid-division, ridden to chase leader over 3f out, effort, chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
held up, ridden 3f out, no headway over 2f out
tracked leader, led 4f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, caught near post
mid-division, ridden 4f out, soon struggling, tailed off final 2f
led until headed 4f out, kept on until weakened from well over 1f out
tracked leaders to 5f out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders to over 3f out, ridden, one pace final 2f
always behind, struggling over 3f out, soon tailed off
Always Best gets the confident vote in the finale with Birthday Star and Constant Cheers rating the main dangers. The selection has dropped to a handy mark and hinted at a return to form last time out when fourth behind Tobogan Lady. This slightly longer trip looks sure to suit and he looks a value bet in an open affair. Birthday Star rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Bethanys Boy last time out. However he was all out on that occasion and looks vulnerable under his penalty. Constant Cheers was a fair third behind Bienheureux last time out. He is sure to come on for the run and has definite place claims. Of the others Thorny Mandate is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks weighted up to his best and with this in mind we return to Always Best who looks well handicapped
Thorny Mandate 8-1 (9-0) Slowly away, raced keenly, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten, 5th of 6, 31l behind Prelude (8-8) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) hvy.
Constant Cheers (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, driven to lead over 1f out, soon headed, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Bienheureux (8-10) at Brighton 1m 4f app hcp (6) gd.
Birthday Star (IRE) 4-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden and headway on outside over 3f out, ran on well to lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (6) pol beating Bethanys Boy (9-5) by a hd, 11 ran.
Intavac Boy 5-1 (8-8) In touch, not much room 3f out, soon ridden, never on terms, 7th of 11, 8l behind Sudden Impulse (8-11) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Don Jose (USA) 33-1 (9-13) In touch, led after 2f, ridden and headed 3f out, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Grey Samurai (10-2) at Beverley 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (6) hvy.
Always Best 6-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, kept on under pressure final 2f, no impression, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Toboggan Lady (8-6) at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gs.
A Nod And A Wink (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) Behind, lost touch over 3f out stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 9l behind Gib (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) gf.
Key Partners (IRE) 13-2 (8-3) Behind final 5f, last of 10, well behind Olimpo (9-7) at Warwick 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
