with leaders, travelling well 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on, not pace of winner inside final furlong
held up in rear, in touch, headway over 2f out, challenging over 1f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
slight lead to 3f out, weakened quickly
took keen hold, with leaders over 5f
steadied rear, headway over 2f out, soon no chance with leaders
tracked leaders in close 4th, led 3f out, hung badly left to stand rail 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong
took keen hold, held up in close touch, ridden to challenge and went left 2f out, edged left and weakened over 1f out
APRIL FOOL is in cracking form at present and is taken to make it three wins from four starts, while Burma Rock and Effigy are both dangers. The Jeremy Gask-trained selection scored at Bath twice over a mile in the spring and there were excuses for his defeat at Windsor that split those runs. He was not stopping last time, when he may well have had more in hand than the official margin suggested and so defying a 5lb rise looks within his capabilities. Burma Rock has been placed in three of his four starts, all in maiden company, and makes his handicap debut tonight. The Danehill Dancer colt should go on the ground and now stepped up to this trip he looks capable of getting heavily involved. Henry Candy's Effigy is a thoroughly consistent gelding who is rarely out of the frame. However, he has not won from a mark higher than 69, and he keeps going up when getting beaten, meaning another tough enough ask today. Burns Night met with traffic problems at Beverley last time when connections could rightly have felt aggrieved that he did not win, on what was his handicap debut, and so from the same mark tonight he must be considered and a win would be no surprise. Even so, April Fool is certainly race-savvy and can show that with another win.
Effigy 11-4fav (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, driven to chase winner entering final furlong, unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind Vainglory (9-7) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Credit Swap 14-1 (8-2) Raced far side, in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 5th of 14, 4l behind Captain Brilliance (9-9) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
April Fool 9-4fav (9-0) Made all, led past 4f out, ridden along over 1f out, stayed on and drew clear 1f out, pushed out, won at Bath 1m hcp 0-70 (5) fm in Jun beating Monashee Rock (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Grey Boy (GER) 13-2 (9-1) Held up, raced keenly, outpaced halfway, stayed on inside final 2f, never able to challenge leaders, 4th of 7, 7l behind One Way Or Another (10-0) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jun.
Hallingdal (UAE) 13-2 (9-9) Always rear, struggling over 2f out, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 7l behind Flying Valentino (9-12) at Windsor 1m (5) gf in Jun.
Burns Night 6-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, no room over 2f out, ridden and no room again over 1f out until inside final furlong, stayed on well, nearest finish, 3rd of 6, 3/4l behind Desire To Excel (9-3) at Beverley 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Burma Rock (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) In touch, effort and not clear run 2f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Shangani (8-5) at Salisbury 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Trafalgar Square 25-1 (9-12) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 14l behind Emirates Sports (9-4) at Kempton 1m Handicap (0-85) (3yo+) (4) pol.
