tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, every chance when carried right inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, one pace
always behind
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, no extra entering final furlong
always towards rear
held up in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, ridden well over 1f out, staying on when hampered and not clear run inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 1f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed towards finish
pushed along mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
close up, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders to halfway
held up and raced alone stand side, kept on same pace from over 1f out
behind, never troubled leaders
A tough sprint to open the card for punters and we'll take a chance on HAMISH McGONAGALL, who is closely matched with Cheveton, while Everymanforhimself is among a host of dangers. Trainer Tim Easterby has had a thin time of it in the early part of the turf season, but although he has not had many winners of late his runners are going better. Hamish McGonagall is a case in point. The Namid gelding looked an absolute picture in the paddock at Musselburgh recently, although he ran as if just in need of it when finishing fourth in a good conditions contest where Cheveton was runner-up. He is 3lbs worse off with that rival here, but he looked as if he would be the one to benefit much more and with a course and distance win on his CV to bolster confidence we will side with him. Cheveton is respected, although he has never won on ground faster than good, which is not the case with Everymanforhimself. Kevin Ryan's entire loves it like a road and is back on a winning mark here, and is definite short list material. Kaldoun Kingdom represents a yard in great nick but would want the heavens to open to enhance his chance, while Dazed And Amazed will relish these conditions, though he might not quite have the class to live with this lot. Strike Up The Band is likely to be competitive, although he is 6lbs higher than his best winning mark, making this a tough assignment. Stablemate Tournedos looks a better option. Five furlongs and fast ground are ideal for last year's winner, who races from just 2lbs higher today. Sonny Red would prefer juice in the ground, while the fourth of Dandy Nicholls' entries, Northern Fling, has dropped to a very handy mark now and does handle conditions. He might be one to look out for at a price, but the suggestion today is Hamish McGonagall.
Strike Up The Band 7-2 (9-7) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Sohraab (9-3) at Chester 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Hamish McGonagall 7-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, headway to challenge inside final furlong, soon one pace, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Spin Cycle (8-12) at Musselburgh 5f cond stks (2) gd.
Tournedos (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Sohraab (9-3) at Chester 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Sonny Red (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden and pressed leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 1l behind Chief Editor (9-4) at Newbury 5f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Group Therapy 100-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride in rear, ridden and kept on, never dangerous, 10th of 16, 7l behind Amour Propre (8-7) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Cheveton 15-8fav (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance final furlong, soon led, headed close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Spin Cycle (8-12) at Musselburgh 5f cond stks (2) gd.
Kaldoun Kingdom (IRE) 11-4fav (9-8) Held up in rear of main group, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, ran on well towards finish, 4th of 7, 1l behind Khor Dubai (8-6) at Newmarket 6f 2yo & 3yo stk (3) gs in Oct.
Osterhase (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Led, strongly pressed and headed under 1f out, soon no impression in 3rd, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Fol Hollow (9-9) at Naas 5f hcp 0-95 gd in Apr.
Northern Fling 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden halfway, never on terms, 10th of 17, 4l behind Fol Hollow (8-3) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Everymanforhimself (IRE) 5-1fav (8-13) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon ridden, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Fol Hollow (8-3) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Internationaldebut (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) Held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Mister Hardy (8-8) at Chester 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Stolt (IRE) 11-4fav (9-12) With leader, ridden well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 17l behind Inspainagain (8-5) at York 5f app hcp (3) hvy in Jul.
Supermassive Muse (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Led 1f, chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 9th of 13, 5l behind Fathom Five (9-2) at Epsom Downs 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Stoneacre Lad (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 5, 6l behind Rowe Park (9-0) at Lingfield 5f 4yo stks (3) pol in Apr.
Dazed And Amazed 4-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden and headway 2f out, effort over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Aye Aye Digby (9-2) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
