held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace
held up, kept on final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, headway 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
made all, stayed on well
tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, weakened over 3f out
chased winner, kept on, always held inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Most of these have won over this trip at some time or another, the most recent winner being Lujano, but that was on the polytrack, and we prefer the claims of AUSSIE BLUE while completing the shortlist is Amethyst Dawn. Richard Whitaker's gelding has been placed in his last couple of outings, so at least has some decent, recent form. Third last time out, Border Owl was well down the field in that race, but he may be carrying too much now although a first time visor may help. Jamie Spencer's an eye-catching booking for Aussie Blue who should have had more than two career successes to date. Lujano won off a career high mark last time out, but he does better on the polytrack than the turf. Amethyst Dawn likes to front-run, and was second when racing out of the handicap last week at Beverley. It's more than a year since her only success, and that was on soft ground. It's as wide open a contest as any, with marginal preference being for Aussie Blue.
Border Owl (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and well beaten over 2f out, 13th of 15, 34l behind Wiseman's Diamond (9-3) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Shadowtime 11-2 (8-13) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, never near leaders, 7th of 15, 8l behind Shy Glance (9-6) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Ella Woodcock (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Soon led, pulled hard early, 6 lengths clear over 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 22l behind Spirit of Adjisa (10-1) at Chester 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Navajo Joe (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, kept on, never nearer, 8th of 13, 6l behind Diamond Blade (8-5) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Aussie Blue (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, edged right and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Wiseman's Diamond (9-3) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Petsas Pleasure 16-1 (8-13) In rear, never nearer, 10th of 13, 7l behind Edgeworth (9-1) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Society Music (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Slowly into stride, always behind, 14th of 16, 10l behind Whipma Whopma Gate (8-13) at Newcastle 1m sell stks (6) gs.
Lujano 16-1 (8-13) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Bid For Glory (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Fathey (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Led 1f, remained close up, ridden 2f out, every chance 1f out, one pace, 4th of 10, 5l behind Ancient Cross (9-6) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Media Stars 8-1 (8-12) Held up, keen, struggling from over 2f out, 14th of 15, 25l behind McCormack (8-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Amethyst Dawn (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Led, ridden 3 lengths clear 2f out, caught post, 2nd of 8, hd behind Just Five (9-1) at Beverley 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Cause For Applause (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Raced wide, in touch after 2f, ridden and outpaced final 3f, 4th of 8, 20l behind Swiss Art (9-5) at Southwell 1m 3yo sell stks (6) fbs in Mar.
