awkward leaving stalls and steadied start, mainly in rear, weakened over 2f out
made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden and headway 1f out, never nearer
mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
in rear, outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden and headway 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
keen, close up, chased winner halfway, ridden over 1f out, not pace to challenge
steadied start, in rear, never a threat
chased winner until halfway, chased leading pair after, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
A competitive contest where ALFRESCO is just preferred to Favourite Girl, while Miss Hollybell is among the dangers. The selection landed a good ground Goodwood handicap last time over this trip, but has also won when conditions are faster. He is up 2lbs for that narrow success, but he has won from higher marks than today's 70 on both turf and artificial surfaces, so with a plumb draw against the inside rail he looks capable of following-up. Favourite Girl is not quite so favourably placed in stall nine, but she will be tough to beat. In pure form terms, her defeat at York last time was better than her previous win at Catterick, so she comes here in good shape although fast ground is enough of a concern to take her on. Miss Hollybell can be a little bit quirky, and although she acts in these conditions she is at her best with cut. Even so, if she consents to get a good break from the stalls then she should make them all go. Triple Dream and Charles Darwin both look to be held by the handicapper, and a better proposition looks to be Requisite. Hand Painted has twice gone well here in defeat and is not out of it if fully tuned-up first time this season, but Alfresco gets the marginal vote.
Baunagain (IRE) 18-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 7th of 15, 3l behind Gwilym (8-10) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Favourite Girl (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, hampered slightly over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, chased winner and held towards finish,, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Hotham (9-11) at York 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Barons Spy (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Chased clear leader, under pressure well over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Alfresco (8-7) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
Hand Painted 9-2 (9-3) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 9, 7l behind Fesko (9-1) at Leicester 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Triple Dream 9-1 (9-7) In rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not reached leaders, 4th of 11, 5l behind Medici Time (9-10) at Leicester 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Miss Hollybell 7-1 (9-3) Awkward leaving stalls, set good pace and soon led, made rest, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, driven out, won at Ffos Las 6f fll hcp (5) gf in May beating Fine Silk (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Night Trade (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Held up in last pair, headway on outside well over 1f out, went well held 3rd over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Addictive Dream (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Alice Alleyne (IRE) 9-2 (8-10) Held up in mid-division, headway halfway, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened soon after, 12th of 15, 15l behind Miss Zooter (9-0) at Newbury 7f fll hcp (4) gf in May.
Alfresco 4-1 (8-7) Raced keenly in touch, progress to chase clear leader halfway, soon switched left to race against stands side rail, led over 1f out, strongly challenged inside final furlong, all out, won at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May beating Kyllachy Storm (8-8) by nk, 8 ran.
Vhujon (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 10l behind Deacon Blues (9-1) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Charles Darwin (IRE) 18-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened entering final furlong, 7th of 12, 9l behind Memphis Man (9-9) at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gs.
Headache 13-2 (8-2) Prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Mr Rainbow (9-7) at Warwick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Requisite 5-1fav (8-9) Towards rear, not much room over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Gwilym (8-10) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Farmers Wish (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden an weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 12l behind Revue Princess (9-1) at Leicester 6f flls hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
