held up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, soon one pace
held up, ridden halfway, no impression
made all, ridden and ran on final furlong (hand timed)
keen, held up, ridden and edged left over 1f out, no impression
fly jumped start, always in rear
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened inside final furlong
chased winner throughout, ridden over 1f out, no impression
keen, tracked leading pair, ridden over 1f out, no impression
Four of the runners here have course and distance victories to their names but we don't expect any of them to make the frame and we're going to side with IMAGINARY DIVA ahead of Brandywell Boy and Kheylide. The selection not only ran by far her best of the season, but also one of her best on turf last time. She ran a number of good races last year and, now she is back to form, she may well add to her tally of two wins. Brandywell Boy recorded his only win on turf over this trip but has been a little unreliable in his six starts since. He ran a creditable race last time though and any improvement should see him finish in the money. Kheylide won a modest handicap two starts ago but failed to follow up when finishing second last when last seen. He is capable of doing better here and he usually throws down a strong challenge. The four who have won over course and distance in the past have been in relatively poor form of late and may be best watched. The best of them, Russian Rocket isn't the most consistent but was effective last time out when finishing fourth at Southwell. For our winner we return to Imaginary Diva who has been in great heart of late.
Mambo Spirit (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Invincible Lad (9-4) at Leicester 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Diane's Choice 9-1 (8-13) Stumbled leaving stalls, effort over 2f out, some late progress, 7th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Mythical Blue (8-7) at Chepstow 5f clm stks (6) gf.
Dragon Flame (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Raced alone towards stand's side, mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 11l behind Figaro Flyer (8-5) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Apr.
Style Award 8-1 (9-1) Slightly awkward start, mid-division on outside, hanging left 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, 15l behind Hazytoo (9-3) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Woodcote (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Dwelt, ridden halfway, soon weakened, last of 9, 6l behind Rasaman (8-10) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Kheylide (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 24l behind Suzie Quw (8-10) at Haydock 6f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy.
Brandywell Boy (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Soon pushed along towards rear, making headway when not much room over 1f out, squeezed through and ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders, 4th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Peopleton Brook (8-8) at Goodwood 5f app hcp (6) gd.
Imaginary Diva 10-1 (8-13) Held up in touch, ridden halfway, switched right over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Amosite (8-13) at Nottingham 5f 3yo fll hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Russian Rocket (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, under pressure 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Calmdownmate (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
