chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final 2f
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, eased inside final furlong
held up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up and keen, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hung left from over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, just held close home
held up, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, stayed on final furlong
in touch, ridden to lead 2f out, headed well over 1f out, one pace
outpaced, behind, never dangerous
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
in touch, headway 3f out, ridden to lead well over 1f out, all out
with leader, ridden over 2f, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led over 7f out, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
led, headed over 7f out, weakened over 3f out
War Pennant is a tough customer to deal with and is selected over Royal Flynn and Spinning Coin, who are respected but have a little more to do in this company. So does Caribbean Dancer, who did not really create the best of impressions when dropping out tamely on her reappearance and others look to hold more solid claims on these terms. Spinning Coin is weighted to reverse recent form with Bonnabee and should have no problems with this stiff finish. However, he does need to find further improvement and is not one to go overboard about. Neither is Royal Flynn, who won a very ordinary handicap at Catterick and could be vulnerable off a 5lb higher mark. Therefore, we stick with War Pennant, as the form of his latest start is working out well and, with the trip in his favour, he is expected to be very hard to get past if the rest allow him an easy lead.
Caribbean Dancer (USA) 8-1 Chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 17, 6l behind Come On Jonny at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp gd in Mar.
Cava Bien 11-1 Led 1f, chased leader to 7f out, soon ridden, lost place 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 16, 14l behind Royal Flynn at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo hcp gd.
Gingiefly 8-1 Held up rear, impeded over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 16l behind The Geezer at Kempton 1m 3f 3yo mdn gd in Mar.
Royal Flynn 25-1 Held up mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo hcp gd beating Figaro's Quest by 1/2l, 16 ran.
War Pennant 15-2 Tracked leaders, ridden along over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 16, 1 1/2l behind Planet at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp gd.
Desert Classic 15-2 Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and edged left 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 5l behind Bonnabee at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo fll hcp gd.
Bonnabee (IRE) 3-1fav Held up, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo fll hcp gd beating Beauchamp Twist by 2l, 11 ran.
Spinning Coin 14-1 Held up, headway over 4f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Bonnabee at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo fll hcp gd.
