in rear, ridden and headway from over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, joined winner 1f out, driven inside final furlong, ran on, just held
keen, soon chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
close up, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, tracked leader, led well over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, led 1f out, ridden and edged left final furlong, driven and just held on
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The market should help us here in what on paper looks to be a tricky handicap, but a selection must be made and we side with NORTHERN DESERT; Athboy Auction and Takaamul also make the shortlist of possible winners. The first mentioned has won two sellers so far this year and returning from a three month break last time had every chance but could not quite get past the winner. He'll have come on for the last outing and any improvement should see him take the honours. The Hugh Collingridge trained Athboy Auction looked well when finishing third in a Lingfield Handicap last time and should at least make the frame. Takaamul has had only two outings on turf since 2007. He's proved to be a little too keen in the past but he tends to keep on in the closing stages and amongst such lowly company we expect a finish among the minors. The market should offer clues to the rest who have little if any good form between them, so for us Northern Desert looks the likely winner.
Star Strider 12-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Halsion Chancer (9-5) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Roleplay (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 8l behind Spouk (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Northern Desert (IRE) 6-4fav (9-13) Towards rear, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 9, nk behind Straitjacket (8-6) at Lingfield 7f sell stks (6) pol.
Global Village (IRE) 125-1 (9-8) Held up, stayed on from over 1f out, never near leaders, 5th of 11, 10l behind Gilt Edge Girl (8-12) at Nottingham 5f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Ugenius 14-1 (9-1) Held up, always in rear, 10th of 15, 10l behind High Five Society (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.
Libre 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and one pace entering final furlong, 5th of 15, 5l behind High Five Society (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.
Scruffy Skip (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Towards rear, driven and beaten over 2f out, 9th of 10, 6l behind Another Try (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) std.
Morocchius (USA) 11-1 (8-9) Always behind, last of 15, well behind Straight Face (8-7) at Newcastle 7f app clm stks (6) gs in May.
Astroangel 8-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 7th of 15, 8l behind High Five Society (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.
Takaamul 11-2 (8-4) Slowly into stride, ridden and headway over 1f out, not reached leaders, 7th of 11, 5l behind Teen Ager (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in May.
Superior Duchess 66-1 (8-11) Led, 3 lengths clear from 5f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 6l behind High Five Society (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.
Applesnap (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, lost place over 4f out, behind when hampered over 1f out, 9th of 11, 47l behind Mountain Cat (9-7) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
My Flame 4-1 (9-2) Soon led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 13l behind Annes Rocket (8-4) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Yakama (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) In touch, headway well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 2 3/4l behind West End Lad (9-3) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May.
Athboy Auction 28-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, every chance 2f out, shaken up and one pace over 1f out, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Avoca Dancer (9-3) at Lingfield 7f Handicap (0-55) (3yo+) (6) std.
Turkish Lokum 50-1 (8-4) Mid-division, hard ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 11l behind Esprit De Midas (9-3) at Leicester 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
