tracked leader, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, ran on
led, ridden, headed and no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden hung left and weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, ridden and hung left over 1f out, kept on one pace
In an interesting race, Hypocrisy just gets the call, with Sir Douglas and Phantom Whisper rated as the main dangers. Scarlet Knight showed plenty of promise at two but he does not look as though he is well-weighted based on that so might be vulnerable off topweight. Phantom Whisper started last season in flying form, his wins including one in the Brocklesby, and there is no real reason why he should not win races this time around, and he has won on the all-weather. Sir Douglas and Hypocrisy have both left very good impressions in building up three wins from as many starts between them this season, with the latter having defied a slow start to win at Wolverhampton last time. Both get good mentions with, of course, the latter being selected. Finally, it is hard to be strong on Blushing Thief based purely on his Southwell win and, while Boldinor defied his market odds to score at Wolverhampton on his debut, and is entitled to respect based on that success, we prefer to stick with Hypocrisy, and she gets the vote.
Scarlet Knight 13-2 (9-7) Took keen hold, in touch, hard ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong but no danger, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Natural Force (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Phantom Whisper 5-1 (9-4) Raced freely, chased leaders, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, stayed on same pace after, 4th of 9, 2l behind Saxon Saint (8-3) at Windsor 5f 2yo hcp (5) gs in Aug.
Sir Douglas 8-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride headway 2f out, led well inside last, pushed out, won at W'hampton 6f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb beating Best Double (8-6) by 1l, 11 ran.
Hypocrisy 8-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, comfortably, won at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol beating Stoneacre Boy (8-8) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Blushing Thief (USA) 13-8fav (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon ridden clear, easily, won at Southwell 6f 3yo mdn (5) fbs beating Mind Out (9-3) by 9l, 6 ran.
Boldinor 33-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, held up, headway and hung right over 2f out, switched left 1f out, led well inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 6f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb beating Oneiro Way (9-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
