chased leaders far side group, went 2nd in that group over 1f out, kept on
with leader stands side group, ridden over 2f out, no extra entering final furlong
led stands side group, headed by that group over 1f out, soon edged left, no extra
chased leaders stands side group, weakened over 2f out
chased leader far side group until ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
behind stands side group, headway over 1f out, stayed on
chased leaders stands side group, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
towards rear stands side group, pushed along halfway, stayed on inside final furlong
held up stands side group, headway over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
towards rear stands side group, pushed along before halfway, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led far side group and overall leader, ridden over 1f out, headed towards finish
chased leaders stands side group, no impression final furlong
chased leaders far side group, weakened over 1f out
held up stands side group, effort over 2f out, no impression
The presence of two beaten favourites and three runners trying headgear for the first time tell you everything that you need to know. EXOPUNTIA is the token pick ahead of Come On Buckers and Black Salix. The latter is just one of a number of unexposed runners in this field who could well step up on the form that they've shown to date and the market may well guide to their chances. West Leake and Jiggalong both ran way below par last time but have claims if bouncing back to form whilst Calypso Girl is well handicapped and could be on the verge of a return to form. In contrast, Come On Buckers comes here on the back of a couple of decent performances so has to be on the short-list whilst Fyelehk could take a hand if able to translate his all-weather form to grass. There's plenty of guesswork involved in selecting Exopuntia but she ran her best race to date on her reappearance and starts her handicap career at a realistic level so could be worth chancing with the promise of improvement to come.
Robin The Till 6-1 (9-7) Raced wide, narrow advantage to 2f out, weakened quickly and eased over 1f out, 11th of 12, 20l behind Kuanyao (8-10) at Salisbury 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Theta Wave (USA) 16-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden and weakened when hung left over 1f out, 7th of 10, 5l behind Just Timmy Marcus (9-2) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Cashleen (USA) 33-1 (8-13) With leader, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened 1f out, 9th of 12, 16l behind Olympic Dream (8-12) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
West Leake (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Behind far side group, weakened over 2f out, 15th of 16, 23l behind Flying Applause (9-8) at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jun.
Come On Buckers (IRE) 11-4 (8-13) Led, ridden 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Sam's Cross (9-5) at Brighton 6f sell stks (6) fm.
Jiggalong 7-2fav (8-11) In rear, weakened over 1f out, eased, last of 8, 18l behind Keep Dancing (8-12) at Warwick 5f (5) gd.
Fyelehk (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Prominent, pressed leader 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 12, 10l behind Kuanyao (8-10) at Salisbury 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Exopuntia 66-1 (8-6) Towards rear, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Imperial House (9-0) at Redcar 6f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Bold Ring 20-1 (8-9) Chased leaders to 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 12th of 14, 16l behind Miss Hollybell (9-6) at Windsor 6f fll hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Black Salix (USA) 25-1 (8-7) Slowly away, behind, kept on inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 8l behind Red Rossini (9-3) at Windsor 5f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jul '08.
First Blade 40-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, pulled hard, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 13, 26l behind Postman (8-13) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Apr.
Lady Dinsdale (IRE) 100-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 13l behind Pumpkin (8-4) at Yarmouth 6f mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
Peninsula Girl (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 12l behind Itsher (8-12) at Leicester 6f fll hcp (5) gd.
Avonlini 150-1 (8-12) Went right start, mid-division, raced keenly, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 13l behind Steel Free (8-12) at Warwick 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd.
Bold Rose 33-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden and every chance 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 14, 9l behind Miss Hollybell (9-6) at Windsor 6f fll hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Calypso Girl (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Slowly away, behind, headway on outside 2f out, soon driven, never reached leaders and weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind Another Try (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Ridgeway Silver 4-1fav (8-7) Mid-division, no impression 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not troubled leaders, 7th of 13, 8l behind Athaakeel (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo sell stks (6) pol in Jun.
