behind, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on
towards rear, effort over 2f out, never dangerous
in touch, staying on when not clear run inside final furlong
dwelt and always behind
always towards rear
dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely
chased leaders, weakened final furlong
behind, headway 2f out, soon switched right, stayed on and hung left final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, one pac
chased leaders inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
Almaty Express has been running well on the Polytrack of late and would have solid claims if able to reproduce a similar level of form back on turf but he is better on the artificial surfaces so may be best left out of calculations in a race taken to go to NAMIR, who is preferred to Charles Parnell. The Michael Dods-trained gelding has been running well on the Fibresand of late and returns to turf on a fair mark so he has to be considered, especially if any rain falls. Ruth Carr's Calmdownmate is another that has been in winning form on the Fibresand at Southwell and also has claims if the heavens open, while Artsu has run creditably in both starts this term but he looks a shade high in the weights. David Barker's Mr Wolf has been well held in all three starts this term and of more interest may be Alan McCabe's Luscivious, who ran better at Haydock last time. Top Bid is another to consider, especially now that Tim Easterby is back among the winners but it is Namir that gets the vote. Derek Shaw's gelding showed much improved form when chasing home Loose Caboose at Doncaster last month and a reproduction of that effort may well suffice.
Divine Spirit 4-1fav (8-7) Dwelt and went right start, always behind, last of 11, 16l behind Equuleus Pictor (8-7) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in May.
Charles Parnell (IRE) 7-2 (9-1) Held up behind leaders, smooth progress 2f out, ridden to challenge and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Xpres Maite (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcap (4) fbs in Jan.
Namir (IRE) 18-1 (9-3) Towards rear and soon ridden along, headway over 1f out, driven and ran on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, nk behind Loose Caboose (8-1) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Artsu 8-1 (8-12) Held up behind leaders, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 16, 1 3/4l behind Methaaly (8-13) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in May.
Luscivious 13-2 (8-0) Went left start, behind, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Equuleus Pictor (8-7) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in May.
Calmdownmate (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Slowly away, headway halfway, chased winner over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in May beating Spic 'n Span (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Dig Deep (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Chased leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 9, 13l behind Johannes (8-7) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Mr Wolf 10-1 (8-6) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 9, 7l behind Johannes (8-7) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Braille 6-1fav (8-11) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 15, 6l behind Kyzer Chief (8-4) at Ripon 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Commander Wish 25-1 (9-4) In touch until weakened quickly over 2f out, 11th of 12, 12l behind Littledodayno (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
King Of Swords (IRE) 7-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, ridden when hung left over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 5l behind Loose Caboose (8-1) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Sea Rover (IRE) 9-2fav (8-9) Held up, effort when not much room and hampered over 1f out, not recover, 10th of 12, 12l behind Loose Caboose (8-1) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Almaty Express 8-1 (9-8) Mid-division, ridden when hampered 2f out, soon held, last of 9, 8l behind Lochstar (9-7) at Lingfield 5f Handicap (0-85) (3yo+) (4) pol in May.
Top Bid 17-2 (9-0) Chased leader, led 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Sunley Sovereign (8-2) at Hamilton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
First Swallow 7-1 (9-2) Behind, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, never nearer, 10th of 17, 4l behind Ryedane (9-4) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Baybshambles (IRE) 17-2 (8-1) Behind, headway 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Total Impact (9-1) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
