mid-division, ridden and some headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner
went right start, soon in touch, chased leader over 3f out, soon ridden, one pace from over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden clear final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, in rear, ridden and headway well over 2f out, kept on to go moderate 3rd inside final furlong
always in rear
held up, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace
keen, chased leaders after 2f, ridden and weakened 3f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, hung right from well over 1f out
chased leader until over 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, outpaced over 3f out, hung badly right from over 1f out to stands side rail, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
There are worse ideas than siding with the best apprentice in the line-up and Patrick Hills arguably qualifies as that person here. To boot, he's partnering the winner of last year's renewal (who has ridden to success over course and distance) who lines up on a 1lb lower mark; so, with plenty in his favour, Desert Hawk is selected. Mark Brisbourne's gelding's last two wins have come over course and distance and he's run well enough on his last two starts to suggest that another win may be around the corner. He's well handicapped, has a top man in the saddle and looks sure to be in the shake-up come the business end. Astrolibra comes into the race in great form but may find her penalty too difficult to overcome and we'll be looking elsewhere for dangers to the selection. King Of Connacht raced too keenly last time and may be worth another chance, Foreign Edition is well handicapped and ran well last time but his profile doesn't convince with similar remarks applying to Andorran but Cape Dancer ran well enough in a seller last time to merit consideration. Not that many boast strong credentials and they could prove to be easy prey for Desert Hawk.
Prince Charlemagne (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Tracked leader to over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Cleaver (9-9) at Newbury 1m 5f hcap (5) sft in May.
Astrolibra 9-2 (8-2) Towards rear, headway under pressure over 2f out, ran on gamely inside final furlong to lead final strides, won at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf beating Zach's Harmoney (9-7) by a hd, 9 ran.
King of Connacht 9-2fav (8-7) In touch, lost place over 3f out, 12th of 14, 9l behind Eijaaz (8-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Wee Charlie Castle (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Led, headed 8f out, hard ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 10, 8l behind Hatton Flight (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Foreign Edition (IRE) 25-1 (8-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Dechiper (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcap (6) gf in May.
Desert Hawk 6-1 (8-10) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Jarvo (8-13) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcap (6) gd in May.
Wickedish 33-1 (7-13) Held up in touch, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 18l behind Yakimov (9-8) at Southwell 1m 3f clm (6) fbs in Mar.
Granary Girl 12-1 (7-12) Tracked leaders to 2f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out, 8th of 9, 8l behind Astrolibra (8-2) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Sibo Baggins (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, 13th of 14, 28l behind Oh So Saucy (9-8) at Yarmouth 7f stk 0-55 (6) gf in May.
King's Account (USA) 20-1 (8-4) Prominent for 2f, last of 14, 39l behind Ermine Grey (8-2) at Chepstow 1m hcap (6) gd in May.
Cape Dancer (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Elite Land (9-2) at Ripon 1m 4f sll hcp (6) sft.
Ruwain 10-1 (8-5) Mid-division, lost touch from 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 14, 15l behind Camera Shy (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (6) pol.
Spellman 20-1 (8-2) Started slowly, held up towards rear, headway and wide straight 3f out , outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 19l behind Tomina (9-3) at Kempton 1m 4f app hcp (6) pol.
Andorran (GER) 15-2 (8-7) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, not reach leaders, 6th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Camera Shy (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (6) pol.
