held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, going well when led 2f out, soon ridden, ran on well to go clear inside final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 3f out, headed 2f out, soon weakened
led for 2 and a half furlongs, pushed along over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, switched right and headway well over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up and keen, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leaders, led 8f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Strong Hand is taken to score in the finale with Intricate Web and Heathyards Pride put forward as the main dangers. The selection is clearly at the top of her form and she defied a penalty to win in good style over this course and distance last time when defeating Mr Midasman. She could still be one step ahead of the handicapper and in her current form she is hard to oppose. Intricate Web won well despite the soft ground at Ripon last time and is another in good heart at present. That was reward for a couple of good efforts and he will not be far away at the finish today. Heathyards Pride enjoyed a fruitful campaign last year but he is probably better over a longer trip and he may just need the run on his seasonal reappearance. Sualda would have claims on the pick of his form and his yard are in decent form, but he was a little disappointing last time and for the winner we return to the in-form Strong Hand.
Fine Palette 16-1 (8-11) Prominent, effort over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 19th of 20, 17l behind Dunaskin (8-6) at Haydock 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (B) gd in Aug.
Oman Gulf (USA) 12-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden to lead 2f out, stayed on until headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Magic Sting (8-13) at Redcar 1m 3f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Strong Hand 9-2fav (9-3) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (5) gf in May beating Mr Midasman (8-5) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Frontier 8-1 (8-7) Held up in mid division, headway 3f out, pressed leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Vengeance (9-11) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (C) gf.
Sualda (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Behind, some headway 4f out, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 13l behind Swift Sailor (9-6) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Cripsey Brook 20-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, no impression, 7th of 10, 20l behind Danelor (9-0) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Olivia Rose (IRE) 4-1fav (9-3) Slowly away, always in rear, some headway 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 24l behind Perle d'Or (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f stk 0-80 (4) gs in Apr.
Intricate Web (IRE) 13-8fav (9-6) Held up in touch, pushed along over 4f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Ripon 1m 2f stk 0-70 (5) sft in May beating Weet A Head (9-3) by 1l, 6 ran.
Opening Ceremony (USA) 7-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden on inside over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 10l behind Compton Drake (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (D2) pol in Sept.
Black Falcon (IRE) 25-1 (9-10) Always towards rear, 11th of 16, 10l behind Sangiovese (9-6) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in May.
Street Life (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, shaken up and ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 13, 3l behind Magic Sting (10-0) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in May.
Parnassian 8-1 (9-9) Held up in mid-division, hard ridden on outer over 2f out, one pace and no impression, 8th of 13, 5l behind Magic Sting (10-0) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in May.
Heathyards Pride 7-4fav (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway 3f out, led 1f out, withstood challenge inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 4f stk (F3) pol in Nov beating Madiba (9-2) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Ticki Tori (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, effort 2f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Passionately Royal (8-6) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in May.
