behind, ridden halfway, kept on final 2f, no impression
led, ridden over 2f out, kept on and headed towards finish
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final 2f
towards rear, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace, final 2f
dwelt and hampered start, headway halfway, kept on well final furlong
mid-division, effort halfway, never dangerous
dwelt, soon chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong
behind, driven halfway, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on approaching final furlong
dwelt and bumped start, always behind and outpaced
with leader, ridden halfway, kept on final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace after
held up, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on well to lead towards finish
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
behind from halfway
held up in touch, kept on same pace final 2f
slowly away, behind, always outpaced
A very competitive opening sprint, with very little to separate the leading contenders, but Charlie Parkes just gets the vote ahead of Bali Royal, Absent Friends and Salviati. The selection broke the track record at Thirsk when winning on his reappearance, and was just a short head behind Bali Royal when they were third and fourth to Matty Tun over this course and distance last time. On that occasion, Henry Hall was back in fifth place and Absent Friends well behind. Bali Royal meets Charlie Parkes on the same terms here, and while there is once again likely to be little between them, Eric Alston's speedster just gets the vote. Absent Friends has steadily improved since that York run, finishing a fair fourth to Matty Tun at Musselburgh last time. He is sure to relish this lively ground and will not be far away. Salviati was a length in front of him at Musselburgh and is now three pounds worse off, so again there should not be too much between them here.
