tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, no impression on 1st 2
chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, soon no impression
slowly into stride, always to rear
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, never able to challenge
slowly into stride and behind, pushed along over 2f out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden 2f out, never on terms
mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon lost place
led, headed well over 1f out, soon ridden, rallied inside final furlong, not reach winner
behind until ridden and kept on final 2f, never nearer
in touch, headway on inside to lead well over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong.
Crystal Mystic had to be dropped into a maiden handicap to open his account at Chepstow last month but Bryn Palling's gelding remains potentially well treated off just a 4lb higher mark today and gets the vote to follow up at the main expense of Rosapenna and Howards Princess. The last mentioned has shown his best form over the minimum trip and has claims on the evidence of his Redcar win, if staying today's longer trip. Tim Easterby's Colonial Girl has been running consistently well in maidens of late and has been given a chance back in a handicap today, while Straffan has dropped to a winning mark but needs to improve on recent form to trouble the selection. James Bethell's Flaxby has the undoubted assistance of Jamie Spencer and is another worthy of a mention although of more interest may be top weight Rosapenna, who has the beating of Colonial Girl on running over course and distance in May and has only had the one start since so could come here fresher than most. Crystal Mystic made all when winning at Chepstow last time and similar tactics may bring about the same result today.
Rosapenna (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-2) Mid-div, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on final furlong no impression, 4th of 11, 7l behind Norcroft (9-1) at Pontefract 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Bee Stinger 16-1 (8-6) Led far side group, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 14l behind Go Mo (8-8) at Folkestone 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Howards Princess 5-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 6l behind Pivotal's Princess (9-11) at Hamilton 5f fll hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Colonial Girl (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Prominent, driven along over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Alabama Twist (8-13) at Catterick 6f mdn aut stk (6) frm in Jun.
Flaxby 40-1 (8-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace, 7th of 14, 7l behind Triple Two (9-3) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Straffan (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 8l behind Pivotal's Princess (9-11) at Hamilton 5f fll hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Bond Puccini 14-1 (8-9) Behind, outpaced halfway, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, unable to challenge, 9th of 12, 2l behind Howards Princess (9-0) at Redcar 5f mdn hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Crystal Mystic (IRE) 9-2co-fav (8-3) Made all, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Chepstow 6f mdn hcp (5) gf in Jun beating Frenchmans Lodge (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
