in touch, ridden 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, headway to lead over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong
chased leaders, out pace over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
dwelt and soon chasing leaders, effort 2f out, no impression
in touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride and behind, pushed along, headway 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased along in mid-division, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
prominent, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Seven No Trumps has slipped to a fair mark and, with ground conditions to suit, Milton Bradley's gelding gets the vote over stablemate Salviati and Handsome Cross. The last mentioned gained a deserved success at Chester last month but has paid for that at the hands of the handicapper and he may be best watched off his new mark. Mecca's Mate struggled off his new mark at Newcastle last time but that was over six furlongs and he may be more competitive back over today's trip. Henry Hall has been running consistently well of late and goes well here although the ground may be against him and of more interest may be Salviati, who showed at Beverley last week that he is running into form. Fictional and Dame de Noche have both been running well enough of late to suggest that they can play a part in the finish, while Whistler has slipped to a fair mark and has to be respected with ground conditions to suit. The vote though goes to another Milton Bradley-trained runner Seven No Trumps, who bounced back to form when landing a Hamilton claimer last month and remains favourably treated back in a handicap.
Dame de Noche 11-1 (8-6) Chased leaders stands' side, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Out After Dark (8-6) at Newcastle 5f hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Handsome Cross (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Chester 5f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Treasure Cay (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Whistler 16-1 (9-9) In rear, some late headway from over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 16, 5l behind The Jobber (8-8) at Sandown 5f hcp (3) gd.
Mecca's Mate 6-1 (9-0) In rear, pushed along and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Sierra Vista (8-5) at Newcastle 6f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Fictional 16-1 (8-4) Close up far side, effort over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed towards finish, no extra, 3rd of 16, 1/2l behind Out After Dark (8-6) at Newcastle 5f hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Piccled 16-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Plateau (9-5) at Chester 5f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Harrison's Flyer (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Always behind, 12th of 13, 10l behind Trinculo (8-13) at Beverley 5f hcp (3) gd.
Salviati (USA) 15-2 (8-9) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Trinculo (8-13) at Beverley 5f hcp (3) gd.
Henry Hall (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, not much room entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Trinculo (8-13) at Beverley 5f hcp (3) gd.
Seven No Trumps 2-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead inside final furlong, won at Hamilton 5f clm (5) gs in Jun beating Dizzy In The Head (8-13) by 1l, 8 ran.
Melandre 7-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 3l behind Law Maker (8-6) at Catterick 5f hcp (5) frm in Jun.
