tracked leader, led 5f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, switched outside and headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up and behind, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leaders 1f out, stayed on final furlong, no impression
in touch, outpaced 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, headway on inside 3f out, led over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong
held up, ridden 2f out, never on terms
soon led, headed 5f out, outpaced 3f out, soon behind, eased final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to chase winner final furlong
Love Affair gets the nod over Little Venice, while Banba and Trivandrun have more to offer and are worth baring in mind if supported. Trivandrun showed a good attitude when he won his maiden at Ripon last month. He has more on his plate here, but, as Mark Johnston seems to have found the key to him, he can go well at a fair price. Banba showed modest form for James Bolger when he was trained in Ireland, but still proved good enough to win a maiden at Ripon last week. Even though it has to be a worry that he drops in trip today, Karl Burke has his string in such good order that each-way support for this improving individual should not be ignored. Little Venice is a tough mare that does not seem to know how to run a bad race. However, has been running as if the handicapper has her measure and she looks vulnerable here. Therefore, we go with Love Affair, who bounced back to form in cracking style at the start of this month. A 3lb rise for that success looks very fair in the context of this race, which leaves Love Affair with a sold chance of adding to her profile.
Little Venice (IRE) 11-4fav (9-4) Tracked winner racing keenly, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Munaawashat (8-12) at Leicester 1m fll hcp (4) gd in May.
Mrs Moh (IRE) 33-1 (9-8) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakening when hampered over 2f out, soon eased, last of 17, 34l behind Balavista (9-9) at Haydock 1m hcp (3) gd.
Malinsa Blue (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 13, 8l behind Cross Time (8-4) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
Mount Hillaby (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Chasing leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakend inside final furlong, 10th of 15, 10l behind Top Dirham (9-2) at Doncaster 7f hcp (4) gf.
Banba (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Tracked leaders, keen, headway on inner and not much room approaching 3f out, ridden to lead well over 1f out, ran on, won at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (6) gf beating Foursquare Flyer (9-0) by 2l, 11 ran.
Scotland The Brave 7-1 (9-1) Soon behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Namroud (9-2) at Ayr 7f hcp (5) sft in May.
Trivandrun (IRE) 17-2 (8-7) Behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, led post, won at Musselburgh 1m mdn stk (5) gd in May beating Ashkal Way (8-12) by a shd, 9 ran.
Love Affair (IRE) 22-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, won at Nottingham 1m 3yo fll hcp (4) gs beating Miss Patricia (8-12) by a hd, 14 ran.
Zerlina (USA) 5-1 (9-9) Took keen hold and held up last, smooth headway over 1f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Spring Goddess (9-10) at Lingfield 1m fll hcp (4) pol in May.
