keen hold, settled last, headway to challenge from 3f out, ridden every chance over 1f out, soon chased winner, no impression final furlong
held up in touch, ridden and beaten 2f out
led to 7f out, tracked leader until led over 4f out, headed inside final 2f, and weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final 2f, pushed out final furlong comfortably
prominent, effort 4f out, soon chased leaders, no impression over 1f out, and lost modest 3rd inside final furlong
pulled hard, led 7f out to over 4f out, weakened quickly
took keen hold, in touch, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, to take modest 3rd inside final furlong
Shamrock Bay's Chester win has been franked, so James Given's charge is selected to land the finale at the expense of Future Deal, Vale de Lobo and Kryssa. Shamrock Bay cracked out and made every yard of the running on the Roodye 18 days ago, making the most of her low draw on what was her handicap debut on her first run of the season. That was off a mark of 68, and with improvement to come, the filly does not look harshly treated on only a four-pound higher rating. The subsequent easy victory of runner-up Blue Bajan at Leicester on Thursday adds to our confidence, and Shamrock Bay should follow up. Future Deal overcame a tardy start to finish second to Ela Paparouna at Newbury recently and shapes as though she will get the longer trip, while Vale de Lobo went down battling to Good Investment at Ripon, finishing in front of subsequent Salisbury winner Michael's Pride. She should go well for Jamie Spencer, and Kryssa is no back number either but has to shoulder topweight. So we prefer to side with Shamrock Bay even if the going changes, as her sire Celtic Swing won the Racing Post Trophy on softish ground 10 years ago.
Kryssa 10-3 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 7, 2l behind Munaawashat (8-12) at Leicester 1m fll hcp (4) gd in May.
Future Deal 7-1 (9-1) Dwelt, soon recovered to chase leaders, stayed on to take 2nd last half furlong, no impression, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Ela Paparouna (9-8) at Newbury 7f fll hcp (5) gf.
Shamrock Bay 10-1 (9-3) Made all, driven out, won at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf beating Blue Bajan (8-12) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Vale de Lobo 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, keen, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, nk behind Good Investment (7-13) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo app hcp (5) gf.
Milk And Sultana 10-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 19l behind Rome (10-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f amt hcp (E3) pol in Nov.
Vendors Mistake (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Ridden 4f out, always behind, 8th of 11, 12l behind Sweet Pickle (9-12) at W'hampton 7f fll hcp (6) pol.
Shades of Green 6-1 (9-3) In touch, headway to chase leader 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 8l behind Kirkhammerton (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
Donastrela (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened inside final 2f, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Sian Thomas (9-2) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp (5) gf.
