always behind
held up mid-division, no impression from over 1f out
made all, stayed on well
held up mid-division, kept on final 2f
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, always held
chased winner until over 1f out, one pace
in touch, kept on same pace final 2f, no extra inside final furlong
held up, brief effort on inner over 2f out, never dangerous
Yorkshire Blue is stalwart of these events and persevering with the gelding can reap reward in this company. Imperial Sword is likely contender to at least make the frame, while Strabinios King and Earlsmedic are also shortlisted as dangers. Earlsmedic has very few miles on the clock and is a rare runner at this track for trainer Stuart Williams. Market interest in the son of Dr Fong would be very dangerous to ignore. Strabinios King will be only the second runner to represent Michael Wigham at Ayr and is another long distance traveller to note. He arrives here in good form has to merit respect at this level. As does Imperial Sword, who will love the cut in the ground and looks primed to go well at a fair price. However, Yorkshire Blue is the wiliest of the bunch and, as he loves to finish off his races with rare rattle, he has every chance of forcing his knowledgeable old head in front if he gets the right breaks near the finish.
Yorkshire Blue 8-1 (8-9) Behind, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 10, hd behind Sadeek (9-6) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Strabinios King 4-1fav (9-13) Pulled hard in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, chased winner briefly inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Applesnap (9-6) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Derricks Dotty 16-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway on inside when not clear run well over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Zabeel Tower (9-3) at Chester 1m app hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Oeuf A La Neige 16-1 (8-7) Mid-division, driven 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Violent Velocity (9-2) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Tanforan 8-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, hampered on inside over 6f out and lost place, headway over 1f out, stayed on, 6th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Zabeel Tower (9-3) at Chester 1m app hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Battling Lil (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Held up, hit rails over 5f out and lost action briefly, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 11l behind Acrostic (9-0) at Nottingham 1m mdn stk (5) gf in Jun.
Imperial Sword 11-2 (9-1) Prominent, led approaching final furlong to entering final furlong, kept on under pressure, held near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Optical Illusion (9-6) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Earlsmedic 13-2 (8-13) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 12, 9l behind Borasco (9-1) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Hansomis (IRE) 22-1 (9-7) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, no impression, 5th of 9, 12l behind Persian Sea (8-12) at Newcastle 7f mdn fll (5) gs in Jun.
Vesuvio 12-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 12, 7l behind Bivouac (10-3) at Doncaster 1m ldy rds hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Mangano 40-1 (8-3) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 9l behind Zabeel Tower (9-3) at Chester 1m app hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Second Reef 33-1 (8-2) Always in rear, weakened over 2f out, last of 7, 37l behind Supercast (8-13) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Social Rhythm 50-1 (8-5) Dwelt, behind, never dangerous, 13th of 15, 11l behind Wind Shuffle (8-8) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Jun.
