led 1f, travelled well in touch after, led well over 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong
held up, not clear run over 2f out, headway when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, not clear run again and switched left entering final furlong, ran on well to take 2nd final stride
slowly into stride, soon driven along to lead after 1f, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, no chance when eased inside final furlong
steadied start, held up and behind, headway on inside over 1f out, one pace final furlong
always behind
held up, headway on outer over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong until final stride
mid-division, switched right over 4f out, no headway final 2f
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway 6f out, weakened over 1f out
awkward leaving stalls, towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace
prominent, stumbled over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
pulled hard, tracked leader, led over 2f out until well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, widest of all entering straight, headway over 1f out, nearest finish
Plenty in with claims in this tricky handicap and whilst Ceredig and Coronado's Gold both won last time out, we will take a chance on Band ahead of Turn Me On. Ed McMahon's experienced seven-year-old comes here on the back of a poor effort at Warwick on ground that should have suited, however he should have come on fitness-wise for that effort. Having raced prominently that day, he weakened late on and assuming that today's jockey (who retains the ride) doesn't chase too strong a pace, the horse has fair claims at a price. Of the recent winners, Coronado's Gold looks the biggest threat as he won comfortably on his reappearance and whilst Lorraine Ellison will do well not to drop her whip this time, the horse has a solid chance despite being unproven on the all-weather. Golden Spectrum warrants respect as a course and distance winner but his most recent runs have been inconsistent and he cannot be relied upon to be at his best. Bowl Of Cherries and Uhuru Peak should be watched in the betting for market support and backed accordingly, whilst Turn Me On is consistent and can gain some more place money. All in all a tricky finale, however we will side with Band to upset the applecart.
Turn Me On (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, led inside final furlong, headed last strides, 2nd of 14, shd behind Franksalot (9-10) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Coronado's Gold (USA) 11-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, led 4f out, ridden over 2f out, eased briefly towards finish, ridden out, won at Haydock 1m 3f ldy rds hcp (6) gf beating Eijaaz (9-13) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Border Artist 12-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 6l behind Ivory Lace (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcap (5) gd.
Band 11-2 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 8th of 16, 12l behind Bahhmirage (10-0) at Warwick 1m amt hcp (6) sft.
Machinate (USA) 16-1 (8-2) Steadied at start, switched right, headway when not much room over 1f out, never reached challenging position, 6th of 11, 6l behind Flying Bantam (9-2) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Bowl of Cherries 11-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden to chase leader over 3f out, every chance 2f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Ile Michel (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Ceredig 8-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Lingfield 7f sll hcp (6) pol beating Calloff The Search (8-8) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Trevian 8-1 (8-6) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Tender The Great (9-3) at Bath 1m hcap (5) frm.
