chased leaders far side, driven and outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders stands side, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong
chased leaders stands side, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led farside, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no impression
switched to race stands side after 1f, ridden and effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division standside, driven halfway, kept on under pressure final furlong
behind stands side, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression
chased leaders farside, ridden and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders standside, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear stands side, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to lead overall towards finish
led stands side, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed, no extra towards finish
always behind stands side
slowly into stride, behind farside, ridden 2f out, never on terms
chased leader farside, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders stands side, ridden and effort over 1f out, edged right and kept on final furlong
A very competitive handicap and the draw could be all important. The unexposed Opal Noir is the speculative selection to land it but a case can be made for many of these including Guto, The Bear, Gap Princess and Miss Daawe. Plenty of each-way value is likely to exist but Opal Noir is one that could be attractively weighted on his best form. That best form was as a juvenile but his form did take a dip last season and as a consequence he has dropped to a mark of 62. Making his seasonal debut last time, he made steady progress in the closing stages in finish fourth. Related to some smart performers over the minimum trip, he gets the nod. Trail-blazer Guto can be depended to run his usual game race but is vulnerable against those finishing with a late kick. The Bear re-opposes Ingleby Princess after their recent clash at Hamilton while Gap Princess failed to obtain the clearest of passages last time and will be doing her best work in the closing stages. Miss Daawe, placed on eight of her fifteen runs but yet to get her head in front is another one of consideration but Opal Noir gets the vote.
Guto 9-2 (8-7) Led stands side, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 17, 5l behind Royal Envoy (8-7) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Winthorpe (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden halfway, never reached challenging position, 6th of 8, 7l behind Charles Darwin (9-2) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Circuit Dancer (IRE) 28-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden over 2f out, led briefly over 1f out, headed and no extra, 8th of 18, 6l behind Winthorpe (8-12) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
The Bear 16-1 (8-8) Made all, ridden over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs beating Ingleby Princess (8-13) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Argentine (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 10th of 14, 11l behind Cheery Cat (9-0) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Ingleby Princess 3-1fav (8-7) Slowly into stride, always behind, 6th of 9, 5l behind Mango Music (9-5) at Newmarket 6f app hcp (5) gs.
Opal Noir 22-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway and every chance entering final furlong, weakened close home, 4th of 14, 3/4l behind Cheery Cat (9-0) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Mundo's Magic 25-1 (8-9) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Winthorpe (8-12) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Dark Champion 14-1 (8-7) In touch, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 3/4l behind Winthorpe (8-12) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Gap Princess (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Behind, ridden over 2f out, soon not much room, switched right when not much room again inside final furlong, kept on, 6th of 14, 1l behind Cheery Cat (9-0) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Quicks The Word 9-2jt-fav (8-11) With winner, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 16, 9l behind Dendor (8-7) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Oct.
Chin Wag (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 15, 9l behind Spinning (8-11) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr.
Sea Land (FR) 33-1 (8-4) Dwelt, always behind stands side, 19th of 20, 13l behind Sandwith (8-6) at Ripon 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Miss Daawe 11-2 (8-4) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Feelin Foxy (9-7) at Redcar 5f fll hcp (5) gs in Mar.
Avontuur (FR) 6-1 (8-10) In touch, led halfway, driven and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 14, 1l behind Zabeel Tower (8-11) at Thirsk 7f hcp (6) gf.
Bid For Gold 11-1 (8-12) Always behind, 8th of 11, 12l behind The Bear (8-8) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
