pulled early towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
with leader, ridden and led over 1f out, driven clear final furlong, readily
went left leaving stalls, mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out
prominent, ridden to challenge 2f out, no impression final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well to go 2nd final furlong
always towards rear, never on terms
mid-division, headway when hampered 1f out, soon switched left, not recover
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, kept on final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd final 50 yards
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
A tricky race for punters with plenty of exposed handicappers and BOLD ARGUMENT might just be good enough to see off Desperate Dan, For Life and Brandywell Boy. Five or six furlongs come alike to the selection, who won over the latter trip at Windsor earlier in the month and over this course and distance last year from a 4lbs lower mark. Useful claimer Jack Mitchell helps to negate that, and conditions in favour of Nerys Dutfield's runner we will just side with him. Desperate Dan is partnered by Jamie Spencer and won at Bath last month on firm ground, but he may just have a few pounds too many to shoulder today. For Life has been lightly raced of late and has presumably had his problems. It is a long time since he showed enough speed to win at this trip and he may be found out in that department. Newcastle scorer Brandywell Boy has to defy a 6lb penalty now, and if able to reproduce his Polytrack form he would be a major player, but he has yet to convince he is as good on turf. Course and distance winner looks well handicapped on old form and is not discounted, but preference is for Bold Argument.
First Order 25-1 (8-13) Chased leaders on outside, outpaced 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Peak District (9-4) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Misaro (GER) 8-1 (9-7) Prominent until ridden and weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 8l behind Artistic License (9-9) at Bath 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fm.
Desperate Dan 9-2 (9-2) Prominent, pushed along 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 10l behind Artistic License (9-9) at Bath 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fm.
For Life (IRE) 20-1 (8-1) Made all, hard pressed and kept on gamely final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in May beating Silaah (9-0) by hd, 8 ran.
Bahamian Ballet 9-1 (9-8) Prominent, driven over 1f out, edged left when weakening inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind Mandurah (10-0) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Bold Argument (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Raced on outside, always behind, 10th of 11, 11l behind Blue Jack (9-8) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Fromsong (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders throughout, ridden 2f out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Lochstar (9-7) at Lingfield 5f Handicap (0-85) (3yo+) (4) pol in May.
Forest Dane 5-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, losing place when not much room inside final 2f, weakened after, 6th of 9, 10l behind Bateleur (8-6) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Fantasy Believer 16-1 (8-7) Behind, ridden and no impression over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not troubled leaders, 4th of 12, 3l behind Royal Intruder (8-12) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Brandywell Boy (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, quicken to lead 2f out, ran on strongly under pressure, ridden out, won at Newbury 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Triple Dream (9-3) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Malapropism 14-1 (9-13) Slowly away, soon outpaced, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 6l behind Billy Red (9-12) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Blessed Place 50-1 (8-12) Dwelt, soon recovered to lead, pushed along and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 8l behind Bohobe (7-12) at Salisbury 6f app hcp (5) gf.
