raced wide towards rear, short lived effort on outer over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen raced wide close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, prominent until tracked leaders 5f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
led, joined 5f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, still every chance when hung left inside final furlong, ran on
keen joined leader after 2f, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, ran on
close up, ridden 2f out, effort when hampered just inside final furlong, switched right, stayed on
raced wide held up, hampered 3f out, never on terms
dwelt in rear, never a factor
held up, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
MELVIN THE GRATE continued his upward curve when scoring at Kempton on his return from a lay-off. He only just held out for victory but will have come on for the run and is worth sticking with. Intimidate was a big disappointment when sent off favourite in better company at Doncaster last month but can do better, while Surge Ahead was another losing favourite when only third at Goodwood on his handicap debut in October. Lucky Di has come up against the progressive Listed winner Teophilip the last twice and can finish closer in this company and A Ladies Man is worth a second glance on his reappearance.
Jollification (IRE) (8-13) last of 10, 15l behind Morning Frost (8-13) at Chantilly(FR) 6f 3yo Listed stks (1) fbs in Mar.
Fortinbrass (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Tracked winner, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 14l behind Annunciation (9-7) at Doncaster 6f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Mar.
Melvin The Grate (IRE) 5-2 (9-5) Pulled hard tracking leading pair, headway between horses over 1f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon hung left, pushed along and stayed on well, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar beating Isis Blue (8-9) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Beach Club 16-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, 19th of 21, 23l behind The Gold Cheongsam (8-1) at Doncaster 6f 2yo aut (2) gd in Sep.
Intimidate 5-2fav (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 18l behind Annunciation (9-7) at Doncaster 6f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Mar.
Surge Ahead (IRE) 11-4fav (9-5) Led, brought main body of field to near side in straight, shaken up 2f out, already headed by winner racing alone on far side when lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Empiricist (9-2) at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Saint Jerome (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Slightly hampered start, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 11th of 13, 5l behind Columella (8-8) at Warwick 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Lucky Di 66-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 8th of 12, 4l behind Teophilip (9-1) at Lingfield 7f Listed Stakes (3yo) (1) pol in Mar.
Club House (IRE) 11-2 (8-9) Last to break, held up in touch in rear, closed 2f out, stayed on, never able to challenge, 4th of 6, 2l behind Camachoice (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
A Ladies Man (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and no response over 3f out, eased when beaten final furlong, last of 10, well behind Nichols Canyon (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 1f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Oct.
