chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, ran on
with leaders to halfway, weakened over 1f out
made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on
towards rear, keeping on when edged left inside final furlong, never dangerous
behind, keeping on when hampered inside final furlong, never dangerous
with leaders, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
in touch, ridden over 1f out, edged left and no extra inside final furlong
behind, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never reach leaders
always behind
in touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, not clear run when switched left and then right inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, not quicken towards finish
always towards rear
A fast and furious affair can go to Fire Up The Band, who acts well at the track and is well berthed in stall six. Fonthill Road, Bishops Court and Talbot Avenue are serious dangers and will no doubt do their bit to make this a furiously competitive event. Talbot Avenue held his from well last season and was unlucky not to add to his tally. A short stay in Dubai over the winter also proved frustrating and his connections must be reaching the point of exasperation. Bishops Court is showing no signs of losing his enthusiasm and has been given a real chance by the handicapper. He goes well around here and is wily enough to go close despite being drawn towards the outside. Fonthill Road has fared much better regarding the draw and can make his presence felt if he does not give himself too much to do with a slow start. However, we just prefer the claims held by last season's City Wall Stakes winner, Fire Up The Band, who has a touch of class about him and, with the ease in the ground not expected to be a problem for him, the six-year-old has a solid chance of making his return to Chester a happy one today.
Cape Royal 13-2 Quickly away, soon crossed over to lead near stands' rail, headed and not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, nk behind Bishops Court at Epsom 5f hcp gs in Apr.
Fire Up The Band 20-1 Chased winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 21st of 24, 23l behind Funfair Wane at Ayr 6f hcp (B1) sft in Sept.
Caribbean Coral 14-1 Held up behind stand side, ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 10th of 12, 7l behind Cape Royal at Doncaster 5f hcp gd in Apr.
Bishops Court 12-1 In touch on outside, effort going well 2f out, led inside final furlong, driven to hold on gamely near finish, won at Epsom 5f hcp gs in Apr beating Hidden Dragon by a hd, 12 ran.
The Lord 9-4fav Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Fonthill Road at Beverley 5f hcp gd in Apr.
Hidden Dragon (USA) 9-2 Held up in rear on outside, headway over 1f out, chased winner and strong run inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 12, hd behind Bishops Court at Epsom 5f hcp gs in Apr.
Whistler 16-1 Headway 2f out, chased leading pair entering final furlong, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Corridor Creeper at Goodwood 5f stk gd in Apr.
Fonthill Road (IRE) 7-1 Held up, switched left over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead post, won at Beverley 5f hcp gd in Apr beating Philharmonic by a hd, 20 ran.
Johnston's Diamond (IRE) 13-2 Slowly away, in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 14th of 15, 26l behind Flying Bantam at Pontefract 6f hcp sft in Apr.
Danzig River (IRE) 80-1 Towards rear, never near to challenge, 13th of 20, 10l behind Fonthill Road at Beverley 5f hcp gd in Apr.
Bo McGinty (IRE) 9-1 Led, headed 3f out, remained in touch, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 20, 3 1/2l behind Fonthill Road at Beverley 5f hcp gd in Apr.
