held up behind leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to challenge and every chance entering final furlong, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden when weakening final furlong
made virtually all, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong
prominent, driven over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
behind, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
There's a small but nonetheless competitive field for this decent prize and we will side with Peppertree Lane to get the better of Kinsya, with honourable mentions for Bonnie Prince Blue and Anna Pavlova. The selection won a Ripon maiden on the same card as Kinsya won the Cock O' The North Handicap last month, both successes coming on soft ground. Those conditions are in evidence again here and it all comes down to whether you think that Kinsya's handicap success in a time of over one and a half seconds quicker was worth more or less than the 4lb lower weight that he carried in relation to the Johnston runner. This pundit will side with the latter, who had to make much of his own pace that day and who looks open to more improvement. Bonnie Prince Blue comes from a yard in fine form and has form with some cut underfoot. He is sure to come for his debut and won't be far away if handling these more testing conditions, but Anna Pavlova, Tempsford Flyer and Demelza all want it quicker, and we are happy to side with Peppertree Lane.
Anna Pavlova 7-1 (9-3) Keen, chased leaders, ridden and hung left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp (2) gf in Sept beating Urban Tiger (8-9) by 1l, 13 ran.
Bonnie Prince Blue 9-2fav (9-3) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 11, 5l behind Night Crescendo (8-13) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Peppertree Lane (IRE) 15-8 (9-3) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, held on well towards finish, won at Ripon 1m 3yo mdn (5) sft in Apr beating Font (9-3) by a nk, 10 ran.
Tempsford Flyer (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Prominent in chasing group, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Kalankari (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Kinsya 4-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, carried head high, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Ripon 1m 3yo hcp (3) sft in Apr beating Top Jaro (8-11) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Damelza (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Held up, driven over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 6, 9l behind Shortest Day (9-4) at Pontefract 1m 2f fll hcp (3) gf.
