chased leaders to halfway
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and squeezed for room inside final furlong, no extra close home
held up behind leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace
held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and edged right to lead inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, effort over 1f out, never able to challenge
never better than mid-division
held up, pushed along and headway over 1f out, ridden to lead briefly inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
led, headed over 2f out, soon behind
Two Step Kid has the class to add another York victory to his record, with Ellens Academy, Talbot Avenue and Machinist just three other interesting contenders. In the main this has the makings of a tight handicap, but Two Step Kid could be a Group horse in the making and can prevail en-route to a crack at the Stewards Cup next week. Jeremy Noseda's three-year-old beat a big field here in the William Hill Trophy a month ago and will have conditions more in his favour than when third at Newmarket. He finished best of the far side group at headquarters and can take this before lining up as one of the favourites at Goodwood in a week's time. Ellens Academy has also won here before and coincidentally, had also come out on top on his side when beaten at Newmarket in May. Eric Alston's veteran has had the misfortune to find one too good in three big sprints this year, and may suffer the same fate again. Talbot Avenue ran a blinder when short-headed by Fire Up The Band at Chester, and along with Machinist, who scooted up at Ayr, makes for an interesting contest. However, if Two Step Kid is as good as we think he is, then he is the one to be on.