held up and keen, headway over 6f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner
behind, headway over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen in touch, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 6f out, weakened over 4f out
behind, headway 9f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up, headway over 4f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
held up, steady headway halfway, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
A Sligo bumper winner, Gotaknockonthehead looks the one to be on here, his biggest dangers looking to be Brigante Girl, Diamond Sal, Emerald Express and Refinement. The selection is a son of Accordion, looked promising based on that Irish run and the champ, Tony McCoy, has been booked. The case rests. Brigante Girl has shown plenty of promise in two decent bumpers and warrants respect. The same comment applies to Diamond Sal, who ran green when second on her Wetherby debut. Emerald Express is from a canny stable and, being by Bigstone out of a Shirley Heights mare, ought to have some flat speed. Refinement will carry the colours of Michael Tabor and, trained by Jonjo O'Neill, the market should be watched as a guide to her chances. Of the others, Calder River showed some promise in the second of her three runs to date, which came here; Hylia showed some promise on her debut, as did Shuil Tsarina at Hexham. The last-named's trainer also runs Wuchowsen. Overall, though, in a good race of its kind, Gotaknockonthehead can land the spoils.
