prominent, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out to stay on final furlong
started slowly and behind, headway on inner 2f out, not much room and switched left 1f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong
held up behind leaders, effort over 2f out, no impression
led, ridden and headed 2f out, slightly hampered 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
The Brian Meehan-trained Humble Opinion is on a roll at present and is selected in preference to Rio Riva and Strawberry Dale in this tight little handicap. That said, Game Lad has more to offer at this trip and is worth noting in the betting. However, a line through Tax Free leaves him with a little to find with Rio Riva and he needs to post an improved display here. As does Strawberry Dale, who has been slow to come to hand this year. It is worth bearing in mind that she was thought good enough to take her chance in the Group Three Sweet Solaria Stakes last August and has claims on the pick of her two-year-old form. Rio Riva is expected to put up the most resistance to the selection after a couple of solid performances of late. He will appreciate whatever give there is underfoot but his chances will really increase if the heavens open. However, the ground seems to be indifferent to Humble Opinion and he looks a safer proposition on the balance of form. The son of Singspiel won well at Leicester is a competitive handicap last month and, with his attitude for a battle proven, he is fancied to be hard to beat here.
Strawberry Dale (IRE) 66-1 (8-7) Prominent, effort over 2f out, soon beaten, 9th of 14, 13l behind Beautyandthebeast (8-11) at York 1m 3yo fll lst hcp (1) gf in Jun.
Humble Opinion 6-4fav (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun beating Dry Ice (9-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Game Lad 9-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, keen, switched right approaching final furlong, driven and ran on near finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Wrighty Almighty (8-11) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Rio Riva 11-4 (9-1) Chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Postgraduate (9-4) at Ayr 7f 3yo hcp (4) sft in May.
King of Love 11-4fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 17l behind Vicious Knight (9-12) at Musselburgh 7f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Tom Forest 20-1 (8-2) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 6l behind Walkonthewildside (9-4) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf.
