held up behind, effort over 3f out, never dangerous
in touch, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, switched right entering final furlong, kept on
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, some headway on inside over 2f out, no impression
prominent, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
tracked leader and keen, led over 2f out, soon ridden and headed, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, some headway on outer 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong
MONSIEUR PONTAVEN looks likely to improve for this mile distance and is selected here ahead of Choc 'A' Moca, Luv U Noo and Hayek. Robin Bastiman's gelding built on a good run behind Ryedane when narrowly beaten at Musselburgh last month. He meets the winner Choc 'A' Moca on similar terms but this longer trip could see him flip reverse the placings as he has plenty of stamina in his bloodlines. Declan Carroll's charge was wearing a first-time visor when successful in Scotland and he is respected under just a 2lb rise in the weights, Hairy Maclary represents a yard in great form and isn't overburdened with weight for his handicap bow, whilst Luv U Noo comfortably holds Battle Study on his surprise Beverley win last week. The booking of James Sullivan is a plus for Mason Hindmarsh who sports cheekpieces for the first time, Sadler's Mark drops in trip after a solid Pontefract run behind Monkton Vale and further rain would suit, whilst Banana Republic drops half a mile in trip but is not ignored for a yard that do well at the track. Top-weight Osgood drops in grade and is respected accordingly, especially after his latest Newbury effort, however in a competitive opener we will chance Monsieur Pontaven.
Osgood 16-1 (8-7) In rear, not clear run over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 15, 2 1/2l behind First Post (8-6) at Newbury 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Banana Republic (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Pulled hard, led over 10f out, soon 10 lengths clear, came back to field 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 20l behind Trovare (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Wild Rockette 12-1 (8-9) Mid-division, under pressure halfway, soon beaten, 8th of 10, 13l behind Goolagong (8-12) at Leicester 7f 3yo mdn 0-70 (5) gf.
Baraconti (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Held up, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 15l behind Aktia (9-4) at Haydock 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Kenyan Cat 28-1 (9-5) Slowly away, outpaced in rear, ridden halfway, soon beaten, 8th of 12, 6l behind Thalia Grace (8-5) at Leicester 6f fll hcp (5) gf.
Hayek 4-1 (9-7) In rear, headway on outer over 1f out, edged left and stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Master Mylo (9-7) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Sadler's Mark 9-2 (8-6) Leld up in 6th, headway on outside to press leaders 4f out, chased winner 3f out, ridden to challenge 2f out, one pace and no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Monkton Vale (9-1) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Mason Hindmarsh 4-1 (8-11) Led, headed over 5f out, chased leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Stellite (9-6) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Luv U Noo 16-1 (8-11) Towards rear and outpaced, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Beverley 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf beating Piddie's Power (9-6) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Battle Study (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, edged right and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 5l behind Luv U Noo (8-11) at Beverley 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Hairy Maclary 33-1 (8-12) Led 1f, took keen hold, tracked leader until well over 1f out, edged left and weakened entering final furlong, 5th of 10, 10l behind Squall (9-3) at Ripon 1m mdn stks (5) gf.
Choc'a'moca (IRE) 14-1 (8-2) Tracked leader, ridden to join leader over 1f out, driven and gained upper hand near finish, won at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Jun beating Rescent (8-5) by shd, 8 ran.
Monsieur Pontaven 6-1 (8-0) Slowly away, behind, headway over 2f out, switched left 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly near finish, not reach leaders, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Choc'a'moca (8-2) at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp 0-55 (6) gd in Jun.
Zambuka (FR) 22-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind High Resolution (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Singin' The Blues 20-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, soon beaten, last of 11, 31l behind Flouncing (8-8) at Southwell 7f mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Apr.
