in touch, headway to 3rd 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not able to reach unchallenged winner
started slowly, behind, some headway towards inside over 2f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
steadied start, held up towards rear, some headway when not clear run just over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong,
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
held uo towards rear, headway 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never able to reach unchallenged winner
led early, chased winner until 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
soon pushed along to lead, made rest, clear 5f out, in command from 2f out, stayed on well, unchallenged
soon steadied rear, driven along 4f out, soon struggling, never a factor
Richard Whitaker's Joinedupwriting disappointed when sent off favourite for a 1m2f handicap at Ripon last month and now looks best watched in a race taken to go to VIA MIA, who gets the verdict ahead of Visions of Johanna. The Ian Williams-trained gelding won well enough at Haydock recently and has to be respected on his attempt to follow up but a 5lb rise for that success makes that attempt more difficult. Brian Ellison's Dream Win is another last time out winner, having scored here over seven furlongs last month, but he is not certain to appreciate the longer trip today. Ed Vaughan's Crystal Feather has been running to a consistent level of form but probably needs some help from the handicapper, while Mel Brittain's Steel Trade remains a maiden after 13 career starts and that run is likely to be extended here as he races off the same mark as when well beaten at Ripon last time. The vote then goes the way of the John Harris-trained Via Mia, who has been performing well in similar races this term but showed an improved effort when a close up third behind Yakama in a handicap at Yarmouth last month and a reproduction of that effort may well suffice.
Visions of Johanna (USA) 5-2 (8-10) Held up behind leading trio, headway on inside to 3rd over 2f out, closed over 1f out, eased out going well soon after, carried head high but led final 110 yards, always just doing enough, won at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May beating Hawaana (9-3) by nk, 7 ran.
Steel Trade 7-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 4f out, kept on from over 1f out, just got up for 4th, 4th of 14, 9l behind Northern Acres (8-6) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Joinedupwriting 9-2fav (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, faded entering final furlong, 5th of 14, 10l behind Northern Acres (8-6) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Crystal Feather 4-1 (8-11) Held up in rear,effort 3f out, no progress final 2f, 6th of 8, 7l behind Speed Dating (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in May.
Tropical Duke (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, weakening when hampered 2f out, 12th of 14, 16l behind Northern Acres (8-6) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Dream Win 17-2 (9-0) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, driven out, won at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May beating Rio Caribe (9-0) by nk, 12 ran.
Avitus 6-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders on outer, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place, 10th of 14, 16l behind Northern Acres (8-6) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Via Mia 20-1 (8-13) Always prominent, ridden 2f out, every chance from over 1f out until no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Yakama (8-9) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
King's Counsel (IRE) 12-1 (7-13) Led, headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 8l behind Zaplamation (8-3) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
Amber Ridge 66-1 (8-4) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 13, 23l behind Yakama (8-9) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
