held up in rear, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, ridden out
always towards rear
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden and hung left from over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, led 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen, mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner
mid-division, pushed along over 5f out, soon lost place, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous
led 2f, led again 9f out, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 4f out, outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakening when not much room over 2f out
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
Recent Redcar winner Rose Bien has been a model of consistency of late but the handicapper has taken note and this looks tougher as a result so preference is for Whispering Death, who gets the vote ahead of Ostfanni. The last mentioned has won his last two, latterly by a narrow margin at Musselburgh and is entitled to be thereabouts again but this looks tougher. Merrymaker probably has more to do than when successful at Chester last time, while Openide has the assistance of leading rider Ryan Moore but needs to improve on recent form to win this. Thewhirlingdervish would have claims on the pick of his form but preference is for Whispering Death. The William Haggas-trained gelding has come back to form of late and a reproduction of recent efforts may well suffice on a track that should suit.
Whispering Death 6-4fav (9-7) In touch, headway over 3f out, going well over 1f out, ridden and every chance final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 6, shd behind Takafu (9-6) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Merrymaker 9-1 (9-9) Held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, edged left and led well inside final furlong, driven out, won at Chester 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Behlaya (10-0) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Industrial Star (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) In rear, pushed along and struggling halfway, ridden over 5f out, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd, over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Key Time (8-13) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Thewhirlingdervish (IRE) 9-1 (8-1) Led and set steady pace until headed 8f out, ridden to chase winner over 3f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Oddsmaker (8-5) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Lodgician (IRE) 15-2 (8-13) Held up in touch, headway to lead over 7f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Key Time (9-13) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) frm.
Ostfanni (IRE) 10-11fav (9-11) Tracked leader, ridden over 4f out, headway to challenge entering final furlong, kept on to lead close home, won at Musselburgh 2m hcap (6) gd beating Senor Set (9-8) by a hd, 11 ran.
Mister Arjay (USA) 8-1 (8-13) Led to over 7f out, driven and outpaced 4f out, ridden and kept on final 2f, no impression, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Key Time (9-13) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) frm.
Eforetta (GER) 5-2fav (9-4) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, went 2nd well inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Madiba (9-2) at W'hampton 2m 1f app hcp (5) pol.
Mr Majestic 2-1fav (9-2) In touch, ridden to challenge over 3f out, one pace when hung right over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 8, 7l behind Rose Bien (9-7) at Redcar 1m 6f app hcp (5) gf.
Rose Bien 4-1 (9-7) Held up, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, driven out final furlong, won at Redcar 1m 6f app hcp (5) gf beating Best Port (8-10) by 2l, 8 ran.
Openide 5-1 (9-0) Led 2f, chased leader to 4f out, outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Merrymaker (9-9) at Chester 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
