behind, headway under pressure over 1f out, soon no impression
held up towards rear, some headway over 2f out, soon weakened
made all, driven 2f out, strongly challenged approaching final furlong, just held on
prominent, ridden to challenge well over 1f out, stayed on under pressure, just held
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders halfway, effort over 1f out, soon one pace
held up towards rear, some headway over 1f out, never nearer
tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out
Supporters of Sir Mark Prescott's runners at Musselburgh won't have got rich but he does have a one in three strike rate at the track and ASCENDANT is the one to beat. Spirit Is Needed looks the danger although Ifatfirst has claims. A Heath House runner took this race two years ago and Ascendant looks capable of following suit. He got off the mark in the stewards room at Catterick but showed improved form to finish fourth at Kempton and took another step in the right direction when winning at Haydock. He's 8lbs higher which seems a little harsh and he doesn't do anything easily but he's taken to go in again. Spirit Is Needed galloped on well to win his maiden at Leicester but it wasn't a great race and he's not obviously well treated ahead of his handicap bow although he could, of course, improve. Ifatfirst has gone up 6lbs for his win over course and distance to a mark that has proved beyond him in the past so he'll have to pull a little more out of the bag whilst Madamlily needs to improve for the longer trip. Supporters may have one or two anxious moments but Ascendant can gain the upper hand.
Wee Charlie Castle (IRE) 13-2 (9-10) Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 7l behind Trachonitis (8-13) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
King's Head (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Led for 2f, tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 11, 44l behind Amanda Carter (8-10) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Ascendant 3-1fav (8-13) Led at decent pace, driven along 3f out, narrowly headed over 2f out, rallied gamely to regain lead inside final furlong, well on top towards finish, won at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Bajan Parkes (9-12) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Spirit Is Needed (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Led after 1f, headed after 2f, led again 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on, won at Leicester 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf beating Tanfidh (8-8) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Ifatfirst (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) In touch, improved to go 2nd over 3f out, led 2f out, ridden out, won at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Grand Art (10-0) by 1l, 7 ran.
Abstract Folly (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, never near leaders, 5th of 8, 8l behind Mith Hill (9-2) at Chester 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Madamlily (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Held up, pushed along 3f out, hung left over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Blue Tango (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
