tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, led over 1f out and kept on well
led until halfway and stayed in touch, led again over 3f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out and weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden over 3f out and soon beaten
held up in touch, led halfway, ridden and headed over 3f out, kept on one pace
held up, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase winner over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Danzatrice is given our vote to land the staying handicap, off a 5lb higher mark than his Ripon victory last time. Chris Thornton¿s gelding has been in fine form this flat season and that victory confirmed the belief that he is in rude health with a fighting success over Mister Arjay who has subequently scored. Mr Crystal was the horse that fell victim to Mister Arjay but on a line through Brian Ellison's charge their should not be much to choose between the first two mentioned. Fregate Island has been competing over much shorter trips and how he copes with this 2 mile trip is an unknown. He did appear to get outpaced over 12 furlongs at Windsor and was doing his best work in the closing stages but in against confirmed stayers here could stretch him. Grand Art showed very little throughout the winter months over obstacles but ran respectably over 12 furlongs around the course last time. Stamina would be an issue where he is concerned though while Numero Due is lightly raced in recent seasons but probably needs to be receive some respite from the assessor before he scores again. Danzatrice has impressed this year and while this will prove tougher, he gets the vote.
Numero Due 6-1 (9-13) Held up in rear, headway on outer 3f out, one pace, 6th of 13, 6l behind Mighty Moon (9-3) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Fregate Island (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Tracked leader 8f out, led inside final 3f, edged left and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace under pressure, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Brief Goodbye (8-4) at Windsor 1m 4f hcap (4) gs.
Grand Art (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Royal Amnesty (8-10) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Mr Crystal (FR) 13-8fav (9-2) Held up behind leaders, ridden along and headway over 1f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Mister Arjay (9-11) at Beverley 2m hcap (5) gf.
Danzatrice 6-4fav (9-0) Held up, headway over 3f out, not much room over 1f out, switched left and ran on to lead close home, won at Ripon 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Mister Arjay (9-6) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
