behind, ridden 2f out, never on terms
mid-division, edged left 2f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong
chased leaders, lost place well over 1f out, weakened, eased final furlong
mid-division, hampered 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure final furlong, never troubled leaders
behind, headway on inside over 1f out, soon ridden, chased winner inside final furlong, no impression
chased leaders, lost place well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led to over 3f out, ridden, outpaced over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up behind, ridden, headway over 1f out, stayed on to chase leaders inside final furlong
with leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
with leader, led over 3f out, clear over 1f out, driven out
We are talking hunch and eyecatchers here in selecting Prince Namid ahead of Bond Boy and Steel Blue. The selection looked to have a good chance going into his Newcastle start eight days ago but, after missing the kick and then staying on late for a never-nearer finish, the impression left was that he would appreciate either six furlongs or a stiffer five. He gets the latter today and a first-time visor might further sharpen up his act. Efistorm looked unlucky in running the last time she ran here and, given her liking for soft going, she might be able to go well at a fair price. Namir is closely weighted with her based on recent Sandown form so can also go well although collateral form with them and Bo McGinty points to the latter being quite well handicapped today, but the course and distance winner, who has dropped to what is a very fair mark has, surprisingly, shown his best form on less-testing surfaces. Last season's Two-year-Old Trophy winner, Danum Dancer, has at least been given a chance again by the handicapper now. Bond Boy is another to have dropped to an attractive mark and will handle today's conditions, as evidenced by his very good second to How's She Cuttin' four days ago, so he can go well if fully on song. Steel Blue has also dropped to a good mark if putting his best foot forward, while Artie is on a winning mark form 2005 but has not been seen much since. Maybe the betting market will tell us more, while, finally, Glasshoughton is another to have dropped to a winning mark and cannot be ruled out of proceedings. Once again, though, we will stick with Prince Namid.
Prince Namid 6-1 (8-10) Dwelt, ridden halfway, some late headway, 6th of 11, 5l behind Green Park (8-11) at Newcastle 5f hcp 0-105 (2) sft in Jun.
Wanchai Lad 7-2fav (9-12) Chased leaders stand's side, ridden along halfway, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 17, 4l behind Continent (9-11) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Efistorm 7-2 (9-5) Chased leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Our Little Secret (8-8) at Chester 5f hcp 0-90 (3) sft in Jun.
Namir (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Raced centre, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 11, 3l behind Deserted Dane (9-3) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Bo McGinty (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (9-6) Chased leaders centre, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Deserted Dane (9-3) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Bond Boy 15-2 (8-11) Held up, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f out, edged left and stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind How's She Cuttin' (9-9) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Steel Blue 16-1 (9-0) Prominent far side, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 17, 3 1/2l behind Continent (9-11) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Artie 28-1 (9-8) Close up stand side, lost place 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 9l behind Deserted Dane (9-3) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Desert Opal 12-1 (9-1) Held up, headway over 1f out, led briefly inside last, rallied to lead post, won at Beverley 5f hcap (5) gd in May beating Welcome Approach (8-13) by a shd, 15 ran.
Monashee Brave (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Prominent for 4f stand's side, 15th of 17, 9l behind Continent (9-11) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Glasshoughton 9-2jt-fav (9-1) Chased leaders stand side, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Deserted Dane (9-3) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Kay Two (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Prominent far side until weakened from 2f out, 11th of 14, 7l behind Aahayson (9-8) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jun.
Danum Dancer 12-1 (8-9) Prominent, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong, 10th of 14, 8l behind Ice Planet (9-9) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Jun.
Pawan (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, headway into 2f out, led 1f out, ridden and headed close home, 2nd of 8, shd behind Nobilissima (8-1) at Warwick 6f hcp 0-95 (3) sft.
