soon chased leader until 10f out, remained close up, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
always prominent, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, clear final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden and outpaced over 4f out
in touch, headway over 2f out, chased winner well over 1f out, one pace final and lost 2nd towards finish
in rear, headway to mid-division over 5f out, ridden to go 3rd over 1f out, one pace final furlong
close up, chased leader 10f out, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway and switched right over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd near finish
The three last time out winners make the shortlist to take this Handicap and having already proven his stamina for this trip TASTE THE WINE has the vote ahead of Screaming Brave and Vita Mia. The pick is chasing a hat-trick here after following up with a cosy victory a Chepstow with a great performance just to land a Nottingham contest under a penalty over this trip. The penalty remains but as the only one of the leading trio to win over this distance the vote his marginally his. Screaming Brave is also hat-trick hunting having scored on his only visit to this racecourse on his penultimate start. That preceded a win over an extra two furlongs to that last time under a penalty and though he should stay this trip it is not his ideal. Looking for a two-timer is Vita Mia and she did shape as if this trip would suit when staying on to claim victory last time the penalty added to her burden might be prohibitive. Tinkerbelle is the other to add to calculations after improving since joining the handicap ranks but he has form to overturn on the selection who is Taste The Wine.
Taste The Wine (IRE) 2-1fav (8-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, ran in snatches, ridden and headway from over 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, driven and stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Golden Games (8-6) by nk, 9 ran.
Excelsior Academy 9-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, headway 7f out, ridden and effort over 2f out, not quicken, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 9l behind Penang Princess (8-9) at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Vita Mia 11-2 (8-5) Soon led, headed over 7f out, chased leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, stayed on, won at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Deuce (9-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Alittlemoreflair 12-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden along 3f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 27l behind Classic Contours (9-3) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Tinkerbelle (IRE) 6-1fav (8-11) Prominent, led on bit over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 17, 2 1/4l behind Taste The Wine (9-0) at Chepstow 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Honorable Endeavor 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden along over 2f out, soon lost touch and weakened quickly, 10th of 12, 10l behind Sumani (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in May.
Pure Crystal 10-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden along 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Bollin Judith (8-12) at Redcar 1m 6f (6) gf in May.
Kidson (USA) 66-1 (8-4) Slowly away, soon driven in rear, some progress 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 17l behind Sherman Mccoy (8-12) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Dazinski 8-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden along over 4f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 3/4l behind Antigua Sunrise (9-3) at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Screaming Brave 2-1fav (9-5) Held up in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, effort over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong to lead close home, won at Lingfield 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf beating Persian Tomcat (8-0) by hd, 12 ran.
