disputed lead until led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded final furlong
always in rear
raced wide, in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
raced wide, always towards rear
towards rear, never a factor
slowly away, held up, pushed along over 2f out, never near leaders
disputed lead until over 6f out, tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
slowly away in touch over 6f out, headway on inner over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
slowly away in rear, headway and switched right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders
steadied start, always in rear
slowly away, towards rear, never a factor
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Lord Franklin is a fine advertisement for Eric Alston's training skills having won eleven times for the Lancashire-based handler though he may just be a pound or two high on his reappearance. Sovereign Bounty completed a double in mid-summer but disappointed when fancied on his hat-trick attempt. Rockwood has won five races including over this track and trip last time though all have been in lower-grade handicaps than this. Sunnua won a Chester handicap at this level last summer and is on a lower mark. Her talented rider's claim is another bonus so she should get into contention. RED TEA won three times last summer on quick ground and is only 2lb higher than her last victory at Newmarket. Paul Hanagan has been booked and Peter Hiatt's filly will be better for a recent all-weather run so gets the nod. Abushamah doesn't arrive in the best of form but is a definite player on the best of last season's form.
Alejandro (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden and close up over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 2 1/4l behind The Warrior (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Finn Class (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Behind, ridden 2f out, never dangerous, 15th of 21, 5 3/4l behind Zoravan (9-2) at Doncaster 7f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Lord Franklin 25-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, under pressure over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 12, dist behind Great Hall (9-10) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Red Tea 13-2 (9-7) Held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Calvados Spirit (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Abushamah (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Keen in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 6th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Torrid (9-0) at Redcar 1m hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Sovereign Bounty 9-2fav (9-8) Chased leaders, on outside, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Mount Tahan (9-8) at Beverley 7f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Westward Ho (IRE) 4-1fav (9-4) In touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Amazement (9-5) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Sands Chorus 10-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 6l behind Hammer Gun (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Zodiakos (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Dwelt, soon chasing leaders, weakening when not much room over 2f out, soon behind, last of 9, 19l behind Beardwood (9-10) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Magic City (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Awkwardly away keen towards rear, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Alf Guineas (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Gerry The Glover (IRE) 15-2 (9-9) Steadied start, behind, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Fuwairt (9-11) at Redcar 1m hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Rockwood 40-1 (9-5) Steadied and switched left start, held up in last pair, good headway on outside over 1f out, sustained run to lead well inside final furlong, won at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gd in Apr beating Chiswick Bey (9-3) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Suitor 16-1 (9-0) Held behind, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, 16th of 19, 16 1/2l behind Archippos (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Sunnua (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Billy Roberts (9-6) at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Shearian 16-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Billy Roberts (9-6) at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Auspicion 7-1 (8-13) In rear, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Amazement (9-5) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Nov.
