tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out soon one pace
slowly into stride and soon tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, no impression
always behind
mid-divsiion, ridden over 3f out weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
always behind
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out and soon one pace, no chance with winner
prominent, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out and driven clear inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on until weakened inside final furlong
An absolutely wide-open handicap to round off the card can go to King Harson over Angaric, Blue Tomato and La Matanza to name just a few leading contenders. Really, any one of the ten declared runners could come out on top and it would be no surprise, but the pin comes down on King Harson, successful twice over the course-and-distance last year, and who showed signs of a return to form when second to the improving Braddock here last month. Angaric has been knocking at the door recently and goes well over this trip, while Blue Tomato is finding his form and caught the eye staying on over six furlongs at Salisbury 16-days ago. La Matanza goes well fresh and won first time out in an all fillies' affair over track-and-trip last month, and with the likes of Royal Dignitary, Viva Volta and H Harrison showing winning form as well, it all adds up to a tough one to solve. Hopefully, King Harson will prove to be the answer.
Royal Dignitary (USA) 20-1 (8-11) Made all, ridden 2f out, kept on, won at Ripon 1m hcap (3) gf beating Exit Smiling (8-2) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Emerald Bay (IRE) 15-8fav (9-4) Held up and keen, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Primo Way (8-1) at Ayr 1m 1f hcap (4) gs in May.
Blue Tomato 15-2 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden and not clear run well over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Orpsie Boy (9-1) at Salisbury 6f hcap (4) gf in May.
Electric Warrior (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 4l behind Phluke (9-3) at Warwick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in May.
King Harson 14-1 (9-4) Prominent centre, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 17, 2l behind Braddock (9-0) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in May.
Angaric (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Malcheek (9-4) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-85 (4) frm in May.
La Matanza 7-2 (9-6) Held up, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden, kept on final furlong, held on, won at Musselburgh 7f fll hcp (4) gd in May beating Neardown Beauty (10-0) by a nk, 6 ran.
Viva Volta 7-2jt-fav (9-5) Made all stands side, clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 7f hcap (5) gs beating Parkview Love (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
H Harrison (IRE) 6-1 (8-3) Prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Catterick 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May beating Il Castagno (8-12) by a hd, 10 ran.
Stellite 8-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Walnut Grove (8-4) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
