always prominent, ridden over 3f out, every chance 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
prominent, smooth progress 3f out, led 2f out, every chance over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
prominent, hard ridden 3f out, every chance 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
pulled hard, settled towards rear, headway 3f out, stayed on 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along 3f out, hard ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
always in rear, no danger
settled in rear, brought wide, hard ridden over 3f out, no danger
slowly into stride, soon pushed along, headway 4f out, hard ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f
prominent, ridden over 3f out, every chance 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
soon led, headed 3f out, weakened and no extra final 2f
always prominent, brought wide over 4f out, ridden 3f out, led over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong
slowly into stride, always in rear, no danger
prominent, ridden 4f out, led briefly 3f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, ridden 4f out, hard ridden 3f out, no extra final 2f
mid-division, soon pushed along, ridden and one pace final 2f, eased when beaten inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f
prominent, brought wide over 4f out, ridden over 3fout, stayed on final 2f, no extra close home
Cornelius Two very good efforts in strong handicaps this season give him a clear chance here; those wins and his three career wins have come on ground with give although he has form on fast; key contender.
Catchy Word From the in-form Ed Dunlop stable; staying on in seasonal return in valuable Kempton handicap (10f,soft) with Shayadi (same terms today) nearly 8 lengths behind (Hudood and Dower House further behind); Kempton races with big fields can, however, be misleading; won on good to firm as a 2yo and has to be respected.
Bonaguil (USA) Seasonal debut should have brought him on; although not badly treated on what he's achieved, on a line through Gentleman Venture, Catchy Word holds him; his best form has come on soft although he acts on firm.
Swan Knight (USA) Has not run on the Flat since a promising effort on a good Lincoln handicap; a recent hurdles run on firm was indifferent; on a line through Nimello, he is entitled to run at least as well as Cornelius; that gives him a clear chance, as does the fact that a step up to 10 furlongs should suit him; acts on fast.
Shayadi (IRE) Lightly raced and has scope for more improvement; just run out of things at Doncaster last time and while, on literal Kempton form, Catchy Word holds him, he is entitled to consideration; has won on firm and soft.
Atacat (IRE) Lightly raced Irish import; difficult to assess but would need to improve a good bit on his British debut (well behind Shayadi).
Cool Investment (IRE) Won on firm as a two-year-old but his best form is on ground with ease; has won over 1m7f so the trip could also prove too short for him today.
Elmhurst Boy Now 10lbs higher than when winning at Kempton last September, appreciating the step up to 10f; acts on firm but the ratings rise leaves him vulnerable.
Dower House Very lightly raced on the Flat in last two seasons (although he did win over hurdles this winter); trip and ground should be no problem but he needs to turn back the clock to feature today; was behind Catchy Word, Shayadi and Hudood at Kempton on last run.
Tarboush Behind Hudood at Newmarket last time; very lightly raced Henry Cecil four-year-old but more than he has shown is required for him to play a part today.
Ferzao (IRE) Acts on the going and stays the trip; from a canny stable but has not really shown any form since winning a Stakes race at Windsor (10f, good to firm) around this time last year; lacks a recent run and might need to drop a few pounds more before finding form again.
Anticles (FR) Lightly raced; on literal form, he is weighted to beat Bonaguil on Newmarket form last September as he is 10lbs lower in the ratings for that run; only 5lbs better off for finishing well behind Cornelius at Newbury on April 21 so, on balance, others are preferred.
Jedi Knight Likes to force the pace and has gone well here in the past; lightly raced over the last couple of years, has won off a mark of 90 and today races off 85; hard to fully weigh up but, now seven years old, others seem to hold a better chance.
Sea Mark Formerly with Barry Hills, this lightly raced five-year-old's two wins (from 6 starts) have come over 7f; finished behind Gralmano and Tony Tie on seasonal reappearance over 8f; raised 5lbs for his Newmarket win last September (when with Hills); this trip might prove further than his ideal.
Trouble Mountain (USA) Trying a new trip today and has not won since July 1999; is 15lbs better off for 8:5 lengths with Cornelius on their Newbury run last September (9f,heavy), and 7lbs better off with Swan Knight for being beaten 6 lengths in the same race; on those form lines he cannot be discounted, indeed, if you go back to his two-year-old and early three-year-old days (when with Barry Hills), he has to be considered here; the downside is that he is unproven at the trip and lacks recent form.
Tony Tie Closely weighted with Gralmano on their Thirsk runs over 8f on May 5, but well behind Cornelius on April 21 (may have needed run); has only won twice from 36 career starts but is capable of running well off this mark; trip and going are OK for him
Gralmano (IRE) Closely weighted with Tony Tie on their effort at Thirsk over 8f on May 5; he has won over the trip and the going should present no problems; not without a chance.
Hudood (USA) Trip and ground will be no problem and he's capable of running well off this type of mark; disqualified after winning at Newmarket last year from a mark of 89 (now 90); will be fit although he was behind both Catchy Word and Shayadi at Kempton on April 16.
