mid-division, headway inside final 2f, kept on, not reach leaders
in rear, some headway and switched left over 1f out, never dangerous
prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, quicken clear final furlong, ridden out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
prominent, not quicken 2f out, weakened over 1f out
started slowly, always rear and lost touch over 2f out
behind, headway 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
towards rear, still plenty to do over 2f out, good headway over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on until weakened final furlong
held up, ridden and no progress over 2f out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, chased leader 3f out, every chance over 1f out, not pace of winner final furlong
started slowly, always towards rear, never a factor
led until headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Withdrawn
Nonrunner
Gringo, Blue Patrick and Red Birr all come into the equation and our vote is for Gringo. Barry Hills' gelding put up some decent performances on good ground last year and if the veteran handler has him fit first time out, he has to be a big player at a price. Blue Patrick can often ruin his chances by pulling hard in his races. Claimed for ¿8000 after his last race, he is now trained by Paul Blockley. Red Birr vitally lost ground at the start when attempting to land a handicap at Lingfield. An able type, the handicapper has added an extra 2lb for his trouble. Magic Sting has always promised a lot but appears to be struggling with the handicapper's assessment at the moment. Balance Of Power is markedly dropped in class following an attempt at the Melrose at York last year. He is without doubt unexposed and is watched in the market. Consonant looks sure to be staying on when others have cried enough. A tough race and Gringo gets the nod.
Magic Sting 10-1 (9-5) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 10, well behind London Express (8-4) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) hvy.
Blue Patrick Evensfav (8-13) Tracked leaders, pulled hard, ridden over 2f out, chased winner well over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 12, 3l behind Vicious Knight (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f clm (6) pol in Mar.
Red Birr (IRE) 15-8fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, soon ridden and prominent, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed final 50 yards, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Zalkani (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Gringo 8-1 (8-9) Chased leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Bobby Charles (9-2) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct.
Consonant (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 9, 6l behind Ameeq (8-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Mar.
Parnassian 25-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up, stayed on final 2f, never reached leaders, 9th of 16, 8l behind Glad Big (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcap (4) pol.
Croon 7-1 (8-8) Soon led, pushed along 4f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Stargazer Jim (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (5) pol in Nov.
King's Thought 16-1 (8-13) Led, headed 3f out, soon ridden and weakened, 11th of 12, 25l behind Fortunate Isle (8-7) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-95 (3) hvy.
