took keen hold, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
held up behind leaders, not much room, switched left 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
led, headed after 2f, remained in touch until weakened entering final furlong
chased leaders, driven over 1f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, driven 2f out, soon weakened
This is a competitive race to open the card and from a shortlist of Metroland, Readily, Conakry and Smalljohn we will side with Metroland as the pick. The selection won well last time out considering she stumbled out of the stalls and with the trip and ground to suit tonight she looks a good bet to add to her tally. Conakry is quickly turned out after being beaten in a seller at Leicester when fourth behind Time Loup. He is open to further improvement but he has a bit to prove at present and he will need to step-up on what he has shown so far to win this. Readily has got a small race in her but she has not looked straightforward and she was turned over at odds-on last time at Brighton. Smalljohn was disappointed at York last time, but that was on heavy ground and we are prepared to forgive him that below-par effort. However, he is probably better over an extra furlong and he may have to settle for a minor role today. Metroland arrives here on an upward curve and she can win again.
Smalljohn 8-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 8l behind Mullglen (8-10) at York 5f 2yo hcp (3) hvy.
Compton Ford 22-1 (9-3) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 5l behind Visterre (8-12) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Jun.
Metroland 6-5fav (8-8) Stumbled start, soon led, stayed on strongly final 2f, won at Carlisle 5f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd beating Whispering Spirit (8-6) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Readily 4-7fav (8-9) Led over 1f, chased winner, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Time For Old Time (8-5) at Brighton 6f 2yo clm (6) frm.
Blackwater Fort (USA) 20-1 (9-3) In touch, weakened halfway, 10th of 13, 19l behind Rievaulx World (9-3) at Ripon 5f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Jun.
Dispol Mulofky (IRE) 11-4fav (8-6) Went right start, chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out until no extra near finish, 4th of 11, 2l behind Silent Treatment (8-6) at Southwell 5f 2yo sll (6) fbs.
Conakry 10-3 (8-11) In rear and soon pushed along, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Time Loup (8-4) at Leicester 5f 2yo sll (6) gd.
Jethro Bodine (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) With leader, ridden over 2f out, not pace to challenge final furlong, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Casual Style (8-6) at Catterick 5f 2yo sll (6) gd.
Silent Treatment (IRE) 3-1 (8-6) Made all, driven out, won at Southwell 5f 2yo sll (6) fbs beating Iorek Byrnison (8-11) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
