with leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, effort on headway over 1f out, kept on, not reached winner
tracked leaders and keen, shaken up 2f out, not clear run from approaching final furlong, not recover
tracked leaders, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, led inside final furlong, ridden out
slowly into stride, keen in rear, headway when not clear run and switched left 1f out, ran on well
led, ridden 2f out, weakening when headed inside final furlong
slowly into stride, never a factor
held up, effort and switched left over 1f out, ran on, not troubled leaders
Not a top maiden by any stretch of the imagination however preference is for the unexposed Espy ahead of Ben, Firespin and Bonne. The selection comes here after just one run when he was slowly away and never really got competitive. However he did stay on when the penny started to drop and likely to have learnt a bundle from that first experience, he should get competitive in this weak race. Ben has had plenty of chances and whilst he keeps the coffers ticking over with place money, the fact that he is yet to win after so many decent opportunities suggests that today will not be the day either. All In The Red is fairly well related and has shown enough in two starts last year to suggest that he will be winning soon, whilst Firespin ran his best race last time and if continuing to improve should be on the premises. Bonne will be handicapped after this run but looks a player with Jamie Spencer up for the first time, although a drop in trip of two furlongs may not be ideal. Honest Value is consistent if moderate and should be considered, however it is Espy who is fancied to improve past some of his exposed rivals.
Joe Rich 7-1 (8-11) Led on inside, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened, last of 12, 11l behind Fun In The Sun (9-0) at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Mar.
Walragnek 33-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, soon in rear, ridden well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 6, 3 1/2l behind The Magic Blanket (8-12) at Kempton 5f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Mar.
All In The Red (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on well under pressure, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Artistic License (8-12) at Folkestone 5f 2yo mdn auc (6) gf in Sept.
Ben 2-1 (8-12) Close up in mid-division, ridden over 1f out, slightly outpaced, kept on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind The Magic Blanket (8-12) at Kempton 5f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Mar.
Espy 25-1 (9-3) Behind, some headway 2f out, not trouble leaders, never nearer, 5th of 8, 9l behind Mullein (8-12) at Kempton 6f 3yo mdn (4) pol in Mar.
Honest Value (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Led, taken up over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind The Magic Blanket (8-12) at Kempton 5f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Mar.
Bonne 33-1 (8-9) Bumped start, mid-division, kept on from over 1f out, 4th of 11, 9l behind Maslaha (8-9) at Lingfield 7f mdn fll (5) pol in Mar.
Firespin (USA) 6-1 (8-2) Tracked winner on outer, led 2f out, ridden and hard pressed final furlong, headed close home, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Emperors Jade (8-7) at Kempton 6f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Mar.
