in touch, spooked by rival hitting rail just over 8f out, pushed along 7f out, driven over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, ridden to challenge when not much room over 1f out, unable to quicken final 100 yards
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, picked up well to lead well inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, ridden to challenge when hung left over 1f out, soon led, headed well inside final furlong, unable to quicken
prominent, ridden over 2f out, unable to quicken when not much room entering final furlong, soon weakened
slowly away, behind, kept on final furlong, never nearer
slowly into stride, held up rear of mid-division, took keen hold, switched right well over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, no impression
prominent, hit rail just over 8f out, pushed along 4f out, not clear run on inside 1f out, unable to quicken
led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
Withdrawn
Four of the runners in this contest have won at the course before but our vote goes to KING'S MASQUE who has been running very well so far this year with Inspirina a danger coming here on the back of a win and Snow Dancer offered as an alternative. Bernard Llewellyn travels the length of Wales and a short way in to England to put forth King's Masque for this race at the Roodee. His only entry of the day has a very good chance to notch up a victory having finished runner-up twice in a row. Although running nearer the top of the weights in this handicap, he is in good form and his consistency this year is appealing. Only once this year has he finished outside the top two, so we give him the nod. Inspirina is a big threat having won very nicely at this track last month beating Destinys Dream by over a length. He remains in calculations and should put up a challenge. Snow Dancer also won last time out and is up in the weights today as a result. The trip and conditions will suit her and she could play a part. However we opt for King's Masque.
Carcinetto (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) In touch, chased leader after 2f, ridden and lost place well over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 6th of 9, 6l behind Poppet's Lovein (9-10) at Warwick 7f flls hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
King's Masque 7-1 (9-3) Chased winner, ridden over 2f out, no impression and just held on to 2nd, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Jutland (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Granny McPhee 9-2 (9-3) Started very slowly, detached in rear, headway and in touch halfway, under pressure 3f out, soon beaten, last of 5, 14l behind Bollin Dolly (9-11) at Leicester 1m 2f flls hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Snow Dancer (IRE) 40-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, pushed along 4f out, headway on inside from 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Jonny Lesters Hair (9-1) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Veroon (IRE) 11-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, raced stands side from over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 3l behind Ailsa Craig (9-3) at Carlisle 1m hcap (4) gf in Jun.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Dwelt and switched left start, behind, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 13, shd behind Feeling Fresh (9-1) at Chester 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Bold Cross (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) Mid-division, headway to chase leading pair over 2f out until over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 7l behind Jutland (9-7) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Dark Ranger 11-4fav (9-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headway when not much room over 2f out, kept on and no impression, 5th of 13, 11l behind Pattern Mark (8-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Carter 7-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 11, 6l behind Shy (9-0) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun.
Inspirina (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Raced keenly, made all, clear 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Chester 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun beating Destinys Dream (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
