raced wide with leaders, led over 4f out,ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
in touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
tracked leader until lost place over 4f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in last place, headway when short of room 2f out, squeezed through and soon hung left, ridden to lead inside final furlong, pushed out
went right start, chased leaders, ridden and hung left over 1f out, soon weakened
dwelt, pulled hard, headway to track leaders over 4f out, weakened 2f out
held up, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, short of room and lost place 4f out
dwelt, always in rear
led, headed over 4f out, ridden to lead again over 1f out, headed inside final furlong and lost 2 places near finish
Prince Valentine can never be left off the short-list at this track whilst Connor's Choice and Crystallize make some appeal whilst Phluke is too well handicapped to ignore but EAGER TO BOW is the percentage call and gets the nod. Eager To Bow comes here in great form and clearly relishes the unique test that this track provides and looks capable of progressing further as his handicap mark has only been rising incrementally. His two recent runs have been on fast ground so he would have a little more to prove if conditions came up on the soft side but, otherwise, looks rock solid. Phluke's last win came two years ago off a mark of 80 so the course and distance winner has to be of interest from a 19lb lower mark if the market is positive with Connor's Choice and Admiral Sandhoe another two that are well enough handicapped to take advantage if the fates conspire in their favour. Crystallize is another runner on an attractive looking mark and he shaped with a little more encouragement last time whilst Prince Valentine is the ultimate course specialist which all goes to suggest that this could be pretty competitive but Eager To Bow can take the applause.
Art Market (CAN) 7-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, hung left and lost place 2f out, 10th of 11, 13l behind Copperwood (8-10) at Lingfield 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Crystallize 5-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 10, 4l behind Feet Of Fury (8-10) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Phluke 17-2 (9-3) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 14, 7l behind Resentful Angel (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Eager To Bow (IRE) 5-2fav (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway to mid-division halfway, stayed on from over 1f out, went 2nd final 50 yards, no impression on winner, 2nd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Musical Script (8-13) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Connor's Choice 16-1 (9-3) In rear, outpaced halfway, switched outside and ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 11, 5l behind Exceedingly Good (8-3) at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Admiral Sandhoe (USA) 15-2 (9-3) Tracked leader after 1f until ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 10, 7l behind Feet Of Fury (8-10) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Cheveyo (IRE) 10-1 (10-6) Behind, some headway over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 13, 7l behind Green Poppy (9-13) at Redcar 6f am mdn hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Prince Valentine 14-1 (8-8) Held up in touch, headway towards outside 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Lady Lam (8-12) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Mr Loire 40-1 (8-1) Always behind, ridden and struggling halfway, 12th of 14, 8l behind Radiator Rooney (8-10) at Bath 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Novastasia (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Chased leading pair until 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 11, 23l behind Batchworth Blaise (8-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol in May.
Mackintosh (IRE) 20-1 (8-0) Chased leaders, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 12l behind Buxton (9-4) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
Boundless Applause 40-1 (8-8) Mid-divsion, outpaced from 3f out, 13th of 16, 17l behind Secret City (8-10) at Nottingham 6f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
