in touch, good headway on inside over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, easily, bled from the nose
always in rear, pushed along 6f out, struggling 4f out, soon lost touch, tailed off
soon chasing leader, led over 2f out, edged left and headed over 1f out, no chance with winner
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
took keen hold, held up in touch, effort 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong, kept on to challenge for 2nd
held up, ridden and hung left inside final 2f, never a factor
slowly away, behind, struggling final 4f, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling, tailed off
Theocritus appears flattered by his rating of 80 so this may be more open than it would appear at first glance; SOLO RIVER looks the solid choice with Red Dagger and King's Chorister others to consider. Zero Cool has to be respected given his trainer's strike rate in this grade but he's likely to be short enough in the market and has been held in similar contests. Forty Thirty is another to be feared but he's returned a beaten favourite twice in his last three starts whereas not as much has been expected of Red Dagger but he didn't stay on too badly at Lingfield and could yet surprise. King's Chorister has done enough in Nottingham handicaps to believe that he can be a threat to all and he could give Solo River most to do. Peter Makin's charge landed a handicap over course and distance last August but has been struggling from her revised mark. That has probably prompted this drop in grade and Solo River is fancied to make the most of the opportunity.
Theocritus (USA) 5-2fav (9-0) Chased leaders to 3f out, weakened quickly, eased when beaten final furlong, last of 6, 27l behind Shimoni (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Scar Tissue 25-1 (8-9) Dwelt, in rear, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 6, 19l behind Mayfair's Future (8-10) at Great Leighs 1m 2f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Nov.
Solo River 12-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 4th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Lunar River (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f flls hcp (0-70) (3yo+) (5) pol.
Forty Thirty (IRE) 18-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 2f out, 9th of 10, 20l behind Common Diva (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo clm stks (5) pol in Mar.
King's Chorister 9-2 (8-13) Steadied start, held up, raced keenly, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, no response, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 8l behind Loulou (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Apr.
Red Dagger (IRE) 66-1 (8-1) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong nearest finish, 8th of 14, 6l behind Dark Ranger (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f stks 0-55 (6) pol.
Calling Birds (IRE) 50-1 (8-1) Slowly into stride, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 7l behind Aypeeyes (9-9) at Bath 1m 2f sell stks (6) gd in Apr.
Commandingpresence (USA) 25-1 (8-4) Squeezed out start, held up in rear, kept on final 2f, never nearer, 7th of 15, 8l behind Hollow Green (8-6) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo clm (6) gf.
Beckenham's Secret 18-1 (9-6) Outpaced early, some late progress, never a factor, 7th of 12, 7l behind Dressed To Dance (8-10) at Bath 6f sell stks (6) gf.
Zero Cool (USA) 11-2 (8-9) Tracked leaders, effort on inside over 2f out, not quicken, kept on one pace, 6th of 10, 6l behind Balnagore (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
