in touch, raced keenly, chased winner 3f out until 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, pushed along 4f out, switched right to chase winner 2f out, no impression over 1f out
held up towards rear, pushed along when hampered 3f out, soon eased, tailed off
made all, pushed clear over 1f out, easily
held up, headway over 11f out, ridden over 3f out, hanging left and weakened over 2f out
always behind
prominent, chased winner over 12f out until over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along over 11f out, headway over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, went modest 4th inside final furlong
held up towards rear, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, chased winner over 4f out until ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
held up towards rear, raced keenly, always behind
Two last time out winners are foremost in our thoughts for this handicap and we side with LADY HESTIA who looks open to more improvement than Sir Mark Prescott's Rough Sketch. Royal Premier is the only other that really makes any appeal. The Marcus Tregoning stable has found a bit of form recently and the selection can continue that run here. She scored when going away last time suggesting the extra yardage this time shouldn't be a problem neither should the extra five pounds added to her load with improvement still likely after just five career starts. Rough Sketch won his only previous attempt over this trip and shaped as if this is his best distance with a victory over slightly shorter at Brighton last time. His four pound rise looks fair and he should be on the premises once more. Royal Premier has a good record at the track but after being put up eight pounds despite defeat last time we prefer the chances of Lady Hestia.
Rough Sketch (USA) 7-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, not far away, came stand's side over 3f out, effort when not clear run over 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly to lead final strides, won at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fm in Jun beating Penang Cinta (9-10) by 1l, 6 ran.
Little Carmela 5-1 (8-11) Started slowly, in touch 4th, behind and weakened over 3f out, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 20l behind Where's Susie (8-8) at Bath 1m 5f fll hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May.
Royal Premier (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed narrowly 3f out, pressed winner until no extra close home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Royal Diamond (9-3) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Lady Hestia (USA) 4-1 (8-8) Always prominent, pushed along over 3f out, headway and edged left from 2f out, soon driven, stayed on from over 1f out, led final 100 yards, won going away, won at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr beating Medieval Maiden (8-5) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Muntami (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 9, 36l behind No Rules (9-2) at Doncaster 2m app hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Jul.
Zonic Boom (FR) 11-1 (9-3) Started slowly, held up, ridden over 8f out, behind final 4f, last of 8, well behind Princess Kiotto (9-11) at Warwick 2m hcap (5) gd in Aug '07.
Renege The Joker 66-1 (8-0) Always behind, tailed off 7f out, last of 9, well behind No Rules (8-5) at Yarmouth 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
Captain Flack 8-1 (9-1) Held up behind, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1l behind New England (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol.
Watchoverme 25-1 (8-6) Slowly away, soon ridden along in rear, driven and behind 3f out, switched right and kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 7, 6l behind Theocritus (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 2f clm stks (6) gf.
Astroleo 15-2 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 41l behind Winterbrook King (8-4) at Nottingham 2m 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) hvy in Jul.
Shape Shifter (USA) 12-1 (8-10) In touch, lost place over 3f out, 8th of 11, 16l behind Theocritus (10-5) at Brighton 1m 2f ladies hcp 0-70 (5) fm.
Classic Dancer 6-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, well behind Carlton Mac (9-8) at Catterick 2m sell stks (6) gd.