tracked winner and clear 9f out, ridden and ever chance 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
held up well off the pace, progress to 3rd 3f out, still plenty to do, kept on one pace from over 1f out
steadied start, keen early, held up in last place well off the pace, still plenty to do 2f out, ridden and headway approaching 1f out, ran to take 2nd final strides, not reached winner
made most, well clear with one rival 9f out, ridden 2f out, kept on gamely, just prevailed
pulled hard, held up well off the pace, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never dangerous
with leading pair until 9f out, chased leaders after, ridden and weakened over 2f out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Court Wing needs a market check but without that guide we'll select JEER to beat Oxford City and Free Tussy, with Confidentiality another to consider in a tight race. Mick Easterby's gelding has won two of his last three starts, the last of which coming over today's distance. Indeed, his only defeat this year came over a trip too far, so whilst he's not one for the faint-hearted as a horse who tends to scrape home, he does appeal as competitively treated and there can be no doubting his health. Connections turn to a decent claimer to ease the burden and he rates the most solid betting proposition in this contest. Oxford City ran well here last time when just failing to get up, so with enough pace in this race to ensure a decent gallop he's a live player. He's a course and distance winner too and as that came under today's rider Luke Morris there seems plenty in his favour. Free Tussy has done all of his winning on these shores over 1m2f so today's trip is enough for us to swerve him, although he did run well in the face of a stiff task last time and should grab a place ahead of Confidentiality, whose best form has come over shorter trips. Court Wing is a handicap debutant for George Baker so needs an automatic market check, but unless support arrived in spades then Trachonitis is a more likely type for each-way players. John Jenkins' runner has won over this trip and arrives here fresh having been given a month or two off, although he doesn't appear particularly well handicapped on what we've seen. In a good race Jeer appeals as the horse most likely to give his running and is selected accordingly.
Donaldson (GER) 20-1 (10-0) Led until over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 17l behind Kames Park (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Free Tussy (ARG) 20-1 (8-5) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind King Olav (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Feb.
Trachonitis (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, looked dangerous, soon ridden, found little, 5th of 6, 5l behind Shadows Lengthen (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Jeer (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Made all, quickened 7f out, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, held on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Hannicean (9-1) by nk, 6 ran.
Valmari (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) Broke well, soon held up well in rear, never a factor, 7th of 8, 11l behind Kames Park (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Court Wing (IRE) 66-1 (8-7) Always towards rear, ridden and struggling 3f out, tailed off, last of 9, 29l behind Saa'ida (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 2f 3yo mdn fll stks (5) gf in May.
Confidentiality (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Held up in touch, headway entering final furlong, ridden and unable to quicken, near finish, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Island Sunset (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Cluain Alainn (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Tracked leader until over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 5, 11l behind Cashpoint (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Oxford City (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, headway 3f out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Turjuman (8-11) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) std.
