held up, headway and not clear run over 1f out until inside final furlong, ran on, nearest finish
keen tracked leading pair, headway to lead approaching final furlong, ridden out
led narrowly, ridden and hung left 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
held up, headway on outer over 2f out, soon every chance, ridden and weakened final furlong
close up, headway and every chance 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong
awkwardly away soon behind
pressed leader until ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed onto chase winner inside final furlong
How Bizarre ended last season with a course and distance success but finished last at Wolverhampton on his reappearance. JACOB BLACK ran much better on his comeback when placed over a longer trip here having won three times at the track last year. Another bold bid looks likely today and he’s preferred to Kupa River. The latter completed a double with a victory at Leicester last month and makes a quick reappearance after placing at Wetherby last week while Star Shield may finish closer today having only his second start in a handicap. Our Charlie Brown failed to win last year but slips further down the weights as does Inviolable Spirit.
Star Shield 6-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 4 3/4l behind Candelisa (9-1) at Leicester 7f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Kupa River (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Keen in mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Saisons D'Or (9-0) at Wetherby 7f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
How Bizarre 8-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, soon prominent on outside, ridden 2f out, hung left and lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 11, 7 3/4l behind Sureyoutoldme (9-7) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Jacob Black 5-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, closed over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no impression towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Ventura Gold (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Our Charlie Brown 14-1 (9-4) With leaders, pushed along and every chance 2f out, weakened just over 1f out, 11th of 13, 14 3/4l behind Global Warning (8-12) at Newcastle 7f hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Inviolable Spirit (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Martineo (9-6) at Newcastle 6f hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Smugglers Creek (IRE) 7-1 (9-8) Led, strongly challenged 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, faded closing stages, 5th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Avenue Of Stars (9-3) at Newcastle 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Roaring Forties (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 8l behind Thornaby Nash (9-3) at Thirsk 7f hcp (6) gd in Apr.