mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
in touch, ridden over 1f out, one pace, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 2f out, not much room and switched right 1f out, ran on to lead briefly inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
always in rear division
slowly into stride and always behind
prominent, driven along 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
prominent, ridden over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, stayed on same pace
held up, headway when not much room over 1f out, switched right approaching final furlong, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, headway on outer 2f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, driven over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
took keen hold to lead, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
The three that catch the eye here are Topatoo, Aperitif and Webbow and we will take a chance with the first named. Mark Tompkins has his string in fine form and Topatoo does look on a fair mark. Following a victory at York last August he ran much better than his form figures suggest, ending with a good effort behind Krugerrand, going down by just two lengths. She has been dropped a pound since that run and with Saleem Golam good value for his three pound claim she has to go well if fit. All-weather winner Webbow made a pleasing turf debut when third to Hail The Chief at Nottingham and as that was only his fourth ever outing he is open to plenty of improvement. However a bigger threat may come from Aperitif who has been steadily dropping down the weights and was just touched off at Thirsk last time. In a very tricky contest The Bonus King can also make his presence felt, but Topatoo is the pick on last season's form.
Phoebe Woodstock (IRE) 5-2 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Emerald Storm (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo mdn fll (5) gf in Jun.
Rain Stops Play (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Never troubled leaders, 12th of 16, 26l behind Hail The Chief (8-6) at Leicester 7f hcap (4) gs.
Topatoo 16-1 (8-5) Held up, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 20, 3l behind Krugerrand (8-13) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Ariodante 50-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, always behind, 15th of 17, 15l behind Astronomical (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
Corky (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Started slowly, headway 3f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 15, 17l behind Hail The Chief (9-5) at Nottingham 1m hcap (5) sft.
Webbow (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Led, headed over 6f out, led again 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Hail The Chief (9-5) at Nottingham 1m hcap (5) sft.
Bolton Hall (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Always behind, last of 15, 28l behind Hail The Chief (9-5) at Nottingham 1m hcap (5) sft.
Ask The Clerk (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Always in rear division, 15th of 16, 23l behind True Night (8-8) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Major Magpie (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, not much room and no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Commitment Lecture (9-11) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
The Bonus King 11-2 (9-4) In touch, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Lord Chamberlain (9-3) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Aperitif 8-1 (9-8) Held up in touch, smooth headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed and no extra closing stages, 2nd of 15, nk behind Stellite (9-4) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Burnley Al (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Led after 1f, headed over 5f out, every chance over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 13, 7l behind Lord of Dreams (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
