tracked leading pair, ridden and slightly outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up well of the pace, ridden over 2f out, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd post
tracked leading pair, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
made all, ridden and quickened over 2f out, found extra when pressed entering final furlong, ridden out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression
raced wide, took keen hold, tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, pressed winner entering final furlong, not quicken and lost 2nd post
mid-division, headway 3f out, soon ridden and kept on one pace
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
always in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling
Nonrunner
Competition is once again the name of the game in this Listed contest, and with the trip of concern for Spirit Of Sharjah, and the held-up Acrostic needing things to drop right for him, we will take RAINBOW PEAK to beat Balcarce Nov, Dream Lodge and Smokey Oakey. The last-named would enter calculations more strongly if the ground turned soft, for he has some excellent form at this level in those conditions, but he is harder to fancy on good or faster going. Rainbow Peak is very much the improver in the field. Michael Jarvis has his string in great form at present, and his gelding is unbeaten after a hat-trick of wins last term, with good and soft being the ground description for his turf wins at Ascot and Newbury. Both those successes were over 10f, so the drop back to a mile is a bit of a gamble, although there are plenty of positives in that respect on the dam's side of his pedigree. There should be plenty of pace on here and that can bring his stamina to the fore. Balcarce Nov was not far away at Thirsk last time and is more of a specialist at this trip. He acts on good or faster ground, but wouldn't want rain, and represents a trainer-jockey combination that has enjoyed plenty of success already this season. Dream Lodge shoulders top weight after some very consistent performances in good handicaps like this, and he goes on any ground. He went close twice here last year, although he was thrashed in this race, and on balance he should be heavily involved without winning. Acrostic is respected, but will need things to drop right, while Spirit Of Sharjah has both the hustle and bustle and a slightly longer trip than ideal to contend with. We'll take Rainbow Peak to continue his improvement with a win.
Acrostic 5-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 3rd of 19, 2 1/4l behind Roaring Forte (9-0) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Rainbow Peak (IRE) 3-1fav (9-5) Held up, steady headway over 2f out, led entering final furlong, driven out, won at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct beating Dr Livingstone (9-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Wannabe King 25-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway and not clear run over 2f out, not clear run well over 1f out, no impression, 9th of 23, 6l behind Brunston (8-2) at Newbury 1m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Fareer 16-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up in 6th, driven on outside 2f out, no impression, 8th of 9, 9l behind Paco Boy (9-0) at Sandown 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Apr.
Spirit of Sharjah (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Held up in touch, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Leicester 7f Listed Stakes (4yo+) (1) gf in Apr beating Carcinetto (8-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Pachattack (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway well over 1f out, went 2nd briefly inside final furlong, never anywhere near winner, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Kings Destiny (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Balcarce Nov (ARG) 7-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Osteopathic Remedy (8-4) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Collateral Damage (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, 7th of 15, 2 1/4l behind Osteopathic Remedy (8-4) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Docofthebay (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, switched inside and stayed on well final 75 yards, not reached leaders, 8th of 15, 2 3/4l behind Osteopathic Remedy (8-4) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Isabella Grey 18-1 (9-4) 98th of 11, 12l behind Amico Fritz (9-7) at Fontainebleau(FR) 5f stk sft in Apr.
Dream Lodge (IRE) 7-4 (9-9) Tracked leader 2f, stayed in 3rd, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, joined inside final furlong, narrowly headed final 110 yards, rallied gamely near finish, just failed, 2nd of 5, ns behind Lovelace (9-5) at Newcastle 1m cond Stakes (3) gf in Apr.
Extraterrestrial 4-1fav (9-7) Held up mid-division, under pressure halfway, soon beaten, 10th of 11, 13l behind Autumn Blades (9-6) at Chester 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Smokey Oakey (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Held up, slightly hampered over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 21, 7l behind Penitent (9-2) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) sft in Mar.
Mull Of Killough (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, hampered over 2f out, eased, 21st of 23, 22l behind Brunston (8-2) at Newbury 1m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
