slowly into stride, headway to track winner 7f out until over 2f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up intouch, ridden over 3f out, kept on, never a threat
tracked winner until 7f out, ridden to chase winner again over 2f out, soon beaten
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
A potentially trappy contest can be taken by FANTINO at the main expense of Magnitude and Bollin Judith. Our pick races from a mark 3lbs lower than when scoring over this trip at Leicester on good to firm last September. His form dipped after that, but he came back with his best effort for some time at Warwick last month and with the stable going well and a super-confident Paul Hanagan up we'll side with him. Magnitude certainly has claims after also taking a Leicester race over this trip, in his case last week. A 6lbs penalty will make it more difficult this time but that is not to say that he cannot defy it. Bollin Judith represents the Tim Easterby stable who won this race last year. The four-year-old filly has won both her races over 1m 6f, which she appears best at, and she would have to make this into a real test from some way out to be seen to best effect on going that suits. French Applause also acts on the ground and has slipped to an attractive mark. He could prove a big threat but Fantino is preferred.
French Applause (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Steadied start, switched right and held up in rear, ridden and headway on outer 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Ubi Ace (9-4) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jun.
Madamlily (IRE) 5-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 5th of 6, 11l behind Lady Eclair (9-10) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Astronomical (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Led, headed 7f out, remained close up, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Magnitude (8-9) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Fantino 5-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden 3f out, pressing leaders entering final furlong, unable to quicken, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Harare (9-0) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jun.
Magnitude 4-1 (8-9) In touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden to join leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, just held on, won at Leicester 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun beating Chincoteague (9-7) by ns, 10 ran.
Bollin Judith 7-2 (8-11) Prominent, pushed along to chase leading pair over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Lady Eclair (9-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
