made all, set steady pace, quickened 4f out, ridden approaching final furlong, unchallenged
steadied start, held up, ridden over 3f out, driven and effort over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up in last place, rideen 4f out, no impression
chased winner throughout, ridden 3f out, driven over 1f out, no impression
MATRAASH looks the percentage call in a tight handicap in which Cosimo and Dreamwalk could make their presence felt. A 6lb rise for his victory in a Newcastle maiden appears a little harsh on the face of things but there should be more to come from Mark Johnston's colt now that he's got his head in front. The yard is in good form and there's every chance that he'll get the run of the race from the front. Dreamwalk finished down the field in a competitive Epsom handicap on his latest start but could find this company more to his liking and isn't easily dismissed unlike Cruikadyke who has to bounce back from a couple of modest runs over a mile, albeit in well contested heats. Cosimo drops in trip having looked a non-stayer last time and he is also tried in headgear for the first time. That combination could see the son of Medicean produce a more threatening performance but he still has it to prove so we'll stick with Matraash.
Matraash (USA) 5-6fav (8-12) Soon led, quickened over 3f out, soon clear, driven and kept on final furlong, won at Newcastle 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gd beating Astrodiva (8-7) by 4l, 12 ran.
Cruikadyke 33-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 8th of 9, 11l behind Firebet (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Dreamwalk (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, tailed off, 16th of 17, 38l behind River Captain (9-1) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Cosimo 4-1 (8-12) Reared start, soon pushed up to lead, hard ridden and headed inside final 2f, gradually weakened, 4th of 6, 6l behind Lethal Glaze (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
