mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression from over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in touch, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
behind, effort 5f out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden well over 2f out, headway, one pace, no impression
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, one pace, no impression
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway 4f out, soon ridden, stayed on final 3f
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, led over 2f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, keen, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead approaching 2f out, kept on headed towards finish
towards rear, pushed along, never dangerous
dwelt, held up, headway over 3f out, no impression from over 2f out
tracked leader, weakened over 2f out
Blue Spinnaker is the pick here ahead of Red Racketeer, Miss Provvidence, Look Again and Consular to name but a few. There are plenty in with chances in the opening event, but Blue Spinnaker looks well treated on what will be his third attempt at the race. Mick Easterby's charge finished fourth off a mark of 98 in 2004, and was runner-up off 103 12 months ago, so must have an outstanding chance off his current rating of just 90. Paul Mulrennan was not unduly hard on the son of Bluebird at Pontefract in April, letting him coast home in third behind Fortunate Isle on very heavy going. That will have put him straight, and as the ground was soft last year when he was second, today's conditions should be perfect as he bids to put matters straight. Red Racketeer was all the rage at Epsom last time but found the 12 furlongs beyond him. With Frankie Dettori on board he should go well but is passed over. Miss Provvidence came back with a bang to land a class 3 at Windsor just over a fortnight ago and is unexposed enough to be considered, while Look Again caught the eye in defeat at Newmarket but the ground is a worry. Michael Jarvis has his team in good shape so lack of a run should not inconvenience Consular too much. Nero's Return, Focus Group and Blaise Hollow are all worth a mention at least, but the well handicapped Blue Spinnaker gets the vote to make it third time lucky in this event.
Tiger Tiger (FR) 14-1 (9-1) Always towards rear, 11th of 14, 9l behind Divine Gift (8-11) at Chester 1m 2f hcap (2) gf.
Red Racketeer (USA) 6-4fav (9-5) Soon led at steady pace, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Vengeance (9-3) at Epsom 1m 4f hcap (3) gd in Apr.
Consular 11-1 (8-12) Keen, in touch, headway 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 10l behind Red Peony (8-13) at York 1m 4f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Aug.
Blue Spinnaker (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Fortunate Isle (8-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-95 (3) hvy in Apr.
Blaise Hollow (USA) 10-1 (8-11) Always behind, 10th of 16, 13l behind Danehill Willy (8-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jul.
Miss Provvidence (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Held up, hampered over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gs beating Blue Bajan (8-8) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Focus Group (USA) 7-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Divine Gift (8-11) at Chester 1m 2f hcap (2) gf.
Cardinal Venture (IRE) 100-1 (8-8) Never better than mid-division, 20th of 30, 24l behind Blythe Knight (8-10) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) sft in Mar.
Go Tech 20-1 (8-9) Keen, with leader, led over 6f out, headed over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 17l behind Wild Savannah (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Wingman (IRE) 15-2 (8-10) Held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Mikao (8-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Look Again 10-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, not clear run, hampered 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, squeezed through, ran on strongly, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Star of Light (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gd.
Nero's Return (IRE) 5-1fav (8-8) Mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Miss Provvidence (9-1) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Dancer's Serenade (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Held up, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, 12l behind Active Asset (8-6) at Haydock 1m 3f hcap (4) gd in Apr.
Torrens (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Held up mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 8l behind Admiral's Cruise (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) sft in Oct.