took keen hold behind leaders, pushed along over 4f out, effort over 2f out, no impression, eased final furlong
dwelt and towards rear, never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden and hung right over 2f out, one pace final 2f
towards rear, never dangerous
took keen hold to join winner after 3f, hung left and reminders over 5f out, soon beaten
towards rear, pushed along over 5f out, some late headway, never near to challenge
made virtually all, joined after 3f, driven clear over 2f out, eased inside final furlong
Nonrunner
The short list consists of Qualify, Juniper Girl and Bollin Derek, with the vote given to the first-named horse. Qualify's overall form suggests to us that 74 is not a bad mark and, having won his maiden on heavy going, we expect him to go well today. Juniper Girl is progressing nicely and, given that she too acts when there is plenty of juice in the going, gets a big shout too. Bollin Derek was much better value than for his length win at Pontefract last time and a four-pounds rise is on the lenient side, although he has yet to prove that he acts on soft. Great Tidings improved for the step up to 10 furlongs last time and now goes a further quarter-mile, which should help, although he has never encountered soft going. The others need to find improvement in order to score, although Snowberry Hill does race in first-time blinkers. Once again, then, the selection is Qualify.
Great Tidings 66-1 (9-3) Led steady pace, headed 6f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 8l behind Balanced Budget (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Qualify 3-1jt-fav (9-4) Held up behind leaders, driven over 2f out, effort when not much room over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 6l behind Dark Planet (8-4) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Juniper Girl (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr beating Northerner (8-4) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Sunbolt (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 8l behind Capistrano (8-13) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Snowberry Hill (USA) 16-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden and weakened 3f out, 14th of 16, 24l behind European Dream (9-2) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Al Rayanah 33-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, chased leaders after 2f, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 6l behind Prince Picasso (8-9) at Yarmouth 1m 3yo hcp (6) gf.
Bollin Derek 11-10fav (8-5) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, squeezed for room and ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf beating Noble Edge (8-6) by 1l, 10 ran.
Distant Mind (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Close up, led halfway, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 11l behind Markestino (8-9) at Southwell 7f stk (7) fbs.