mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders to over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
held up, headway on outside 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong, never troubled leaders
towards rear, pushed along 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
held up, always towards rear
tracked leader, led after 2f, ridden over 1f out, drifted left under pressure final furlong, held on
dwelt and behind, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway when edged right over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, not reach winner
in touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led 2f, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong
held up, switched left and headway well over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders
chased leaders, ridden and lost place 2f out, soon weakened, eased inside final furlong
A tough sprint where a chance is taken with Machinist, who gets the nod over Pic Up Sticks, who is respected but has it to do off top weight. Flying Bantam hails from a yard that are doing well with their sprinters this term and, along with Master Robbie, has to be considered as one to watch in the betting. However, both were slightly below par last time and now have something to prove. As does Native Title, whose busy recent spell has returned only place money but he has gone up 3lb in the weights for his exploits. Mecca's Mate won well last week and is obviously in good heart. Still, he has more on his plate here and could be vulnerable in this company. Highland Warrior is another that can never be dismissed in races like this. He often leaves himself with a lot to do with a slow start, though and cannot be backed with extreme confidence. Therefore, we go with Machinist, who shaped with plenty of promise last term. A high draw is very much in his favour and, considering how well David Nicholls' string have been performing, an absence is not expected to be a problem for him today.
Native Title 11-2 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, 6th of 14, 2l behind Fire Up The Band (9-0) at Chester 5f hcp (2) gs.
Circuit Dancer (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Reared start, soon in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Look Here's Carol (8-8) at Haydock 6f stk (3) gs.
Master Robbie 25-1 (8-4) Raced far side, held up, never near leaders, 16th of 30, 7l behind Indian Trail (8-6) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Flying Bantam (IRE) 5-1fav (9-3) Held up behind leaders far side, ridden over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 5th of 17, 7l behind Raymond's Pride (9-0) at Ripon 6f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Highland Warrior 11-2 (9-8) Slowly away, behind stands' side, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 7th of 20, 3 1/2l behind Trojan Flight (8-13) at Thirsk 5f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Mecca's Mate 9-2fav (9-6) Tracked leaders far side, led overall 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Thirsk 6f hcp (5) gd beating Indian Spark (8-13) by 4l, 20 ran.
Trojan Flight 7-1 (8-12) Behind, ridden and headway when not much room over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Out After Dark (9-0) at Beverley 5f hcp (4) gd.
Domirati 16-1 (8-5) In touch, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, 7th of 17, 4l behind Out After Dark (9-0) at Beverley 5f hcp (4) gd.
