tracked leading pair, went 2nd travelling well over 3f out, led just over 2f out, came centre course in straight, driven and stayed on strongly
tracked leading trio, niggled along 5f out, outpaced 3f out, no chance after
held up in 5th, headway to chase leading pair over 3f out, driven to 2nd entering final furlong, no chance with winner
with leader, led 4f out, driven and headed 2f out, no chance with winner when weakened to 3rd entering final furlong
took keen hold, held up last, outpaced 3f out, no chance after
held up in 6th, niggled along 5f out, outpaced 3f out, stayed on to poor 4th inside final furlong
took keen hold, led until headed 4f out, chased leader until over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
NEVER CAN TELL not only looks well in given a weight for age allowance but an argument can be made that her rating already looks light on handicap debut based on some impressive maiden form so she looks the obvious call. Royal Trooper was only just held off a similar rating last time so has a clear chance as does Calculating who is lighter in the weights than when winning on the all-weather last time out. Rangefinder is on an improving run of form so should show more again but Never Can Tell looks off a feather light racing weight.
Rangefinder 10-1 (9-11) Led 1f, in touch, effort to chase leading pair when switched right over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on to press winner inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 13, hd behind Dubai Bounty (8-9) at Chester 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Veloso (FR) 11-2 (9-9) Raced wide, tracked leaders after 2f, disputed 2nd 8f out until ridden over 4f out, soon struggling, 4th of 10, 19l behind Proud Times (9-6) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) fbs.
Omokoroa (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind My Arch (9-9) at Newmarket 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Royal Trooper (IRE) 3-1fav (9-1) Led after 1f, soon headed, tracked leaders, went 2nd 5f out, smooth headway to lead over 2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Beat The Shower (8-6) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Puy d'Arnac (FR) 6-1 (9-3) Held up behind, driven over 3f out, switched right to stands side rail 2f out, ridden to chase leading pair over 1f out, stayed on, no impression, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Beat The Shower (8-6) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Calculating (IRE) 15-2 (8-9) Held up in touch, headway on outside halfway, chased leaders 7f out, went 2nd 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to lead final strides, won at Southwell 2m hcp 0-80 (4) fbs beating Act Of Kalanisi (9-2) by hd, 9 ran.
Never Can Tell (IRE) Evensfav (8-4) Made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m 6f mdn stks (5) std beating Istidlaal (9-0) by 7l, 9 ran.
