made all, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, stayed on gamely
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon outpaced
reared start, behind, effort over 2f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, some late headway, never on terms
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on strongly towards finish
held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace
prominent, keen hold, weakened over 2f out
Border Artist would have a good chance at the weights here if his yard were in better form but preference in an awful affair is for Straight Face to defy top weight and score. Gay Kelleway has the four-year-old in cracking form and he tries to make it a c&d hat-trick here. He has gone up 7lb for the latest win, which was hard-fought, so this won't be easy. However there is nothing in such good form and he may well be able to defy that with first-time cheekpieces perhaps able to galvanise greater effort. Fun In The Sun has a 4lb pull for just over three lengths with the selection and he is consistent and can clearly get closer this time. Shosolosa is an interesting runner for Richard Guest and is more than capable of making the frame here if handling the drop back in trip, and a good pace would definitely be preferable for those backing her. Stargazy comes from a yard whose runners are going well in defeat and he won a similar contest at Wolverhampton in January, though he does appear better at Dunstall Park than here and Straight Face can leave punters smiling here.
Straight Face (IRE) 5-2fav (9-6) Pressed leader, led 3f out, joined 1f out, battled well and just held on, won at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Mar beating Only If I Laugh (9-0) by a nk, 13 ran.
Border Artist 7-1 (10-9) Held up and behind, pushed along over 2f out, no headway, 9th of 13, 15l behind Ochre (11-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Fun In The Sun 2-1fav (9-6) Tracked leaders on inner, chased winner 2f out, every chance, not quicken 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Straight Face (9-0) at Kempton 7f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Mar.
Chasing Memories (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, in touch, struck into after 1f and pulled up in race won by Guildenstern (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp (6) pol in Feb, 14 ran.
Shosolosa (IRE) 14-1 (8-2) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Climate (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f app hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Balerno 15-2 (8-8) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, not a danger after, 8th of 10, 4l behind Napoletano (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Stargazy 20-1 (7-11) Keen, always in rear, last of 9, 8l behind Hazytoo (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Tuning Fork 12-1 (8-4) Prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, soon one pace, 6th of 10, 3l behind Napoletano (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Prettilini 14-1 (8-4) Led until halfway, soon ridden, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 9, 7l behind Best One (8-12) at Lingfield 6f sll (6) pol in Mar.
