slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along and headway to chase leader over 7f out, quickly lost place and dropped rear over 4f out
tracked leaders in 4th, chased leading pair over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace over 1f out
led 1f, tracked leader until 7f out, led over 2f out, soon under pressure, driven out towards finish, just held on
tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, rallied entering final furlong, kept on towards finish, just held
Nonrunner
SUNNY GAME looks a progressive individual and is preferred here to Dancing Dude and Zuider Zee. Michael Bell's Montjeu colt was a cosy winner at Windsor last time out and there is enough in his pedigree to suggest that this longer trip will suit. He is from a classy family and there could be untold improvement now handicapping. Beat The Rush was really well-backed when winning at Pontefract last month and although this is a stronger race he is considered, as is the consistent Dancing Dude who got off the mark at Newcastle last time but he already looks as if a longer trip would suit him more. Of more interest is Judiciary who makes his seasonal reappearance this afternoon and signed off with a gutsy win at Southwell in November. He is likely to get this longer trip due to some stamina influence on his dam's side and is considered accordingly, along with Zuider Zee who will relish the bigger field today having been let down by a steady tempo at Kempton last time out. Any market move for Tamanaco would be intriguing, as it would be for Musical Mark who continues with the blinkers. Monkton Vale hasn't been with his new yard for long but improved behind handicap good-thing Sparkling Smile at Beverley and he cannot be underestimated for his local trainer. A cheeky little handicap to round off the week and the vote goes to Sunny Game.
Dancing Dude (IRE) 5-6fav (8-9) Tracked leader, led 7f out, made rest, ridden along from 2f out, in command and stayed on inside final furlong, won at Newcastle 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Apr beating Stetson (10-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Munaawer (USA) 20-1 (9-7) In touch, challenged 3f out, soon every chance, hard ridden well over 1f out, edged left over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 7l behind Azlak (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
Judiciary (IRE) 5-6fav (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, driven and rallied to lead again post, won at Southwell 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Nov beating Comradeship (9-3) by hd, 10 ran.
Musical Mark 10-3 (8-4) Slowly into stride, took keen hold and soon prominent, led over 7f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, worn down inside well inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Swindler (9-13) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn stks (5) pol in Apr.
Monkton Vale (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Slowly away, in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Sparkling Smile (9-0) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Sunny Game 9-2 (9-3) In touch, ridden to lead when hung right over 1f out, driven and ran on, won at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr beating Grey Bunting (9-3) by 2l, 16 ran.
Beat The Rush Evensfav (9-4) Tracked leaders, pulled hard early, switched right to challenge 2f out, soon led, drew clear entering final furlong, easily, won at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr beating Red Barcelona (8-6) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Zuider Zee (GER) 9-4fav (9-0) Tracked leading pair, challenged over 2f out, led narrowly 2f out, kept advantage until headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards, kept on, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 5, hd behind Activate (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
Tamanaco (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden over 1f out,soon weakened, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Music Of The Moor (8-8) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
