tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden 3f out, headway and switched right approaching 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, kept on, never dangerous
dwelt, held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
close up, ridden over 3f out, soon in trouble, weakened over 1f out
held up in last place, switched right over 2f out, headway to lead approaching final furlong, ran on
close up, ridden to go 3rd over 3f out, driven and stayed on to go 2nd well inside final furlong
held up in touch, lost place from over 3f out
soon led, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, weakened and lost 2nd place well inside final furlong
The step up in trip is not 100% sure to suit Kind Heart despite her trainer's excellence at stepping horses up in trip, and we will side instead with ALL GUNS FIRING despite a poor effort at Sandown last time out. The selection was well-held behind Alanbrooke when seen earlier this month despite being well-backed, but connections now apply the tongue-tie for the first time. This mark of 74 shouldn't be the limit for him, he has shown that soft ground holds no fears, and the drop in trip should also be in his favour. Proud Times was well-held at Hamilton last-time behind Urban Poet but he seemed to get the trip ok and the winner looked special, Guestofthenation is proven on soft ground and is edging down the weights, whilst James Given doesn't send many to the track and Royal Trooper warrants respect with some solid handicap form to his name this season. Tapis Wizard steps back up in trip which should suit, Amethyst Dawn shaped well in defeat last time out at Ripon, whilst Adrian Nicholls is back on board the maiden Gosforth Park who looks a strong stayer although soft ground must be a question mark. This is a decent handicap, and one which can go the way of All Guns Firing.
Kind Heart 6-5fav (8-7) Tracked leader, led halfway, clear entering final 2f, no danger after, won at Southwell 1m 2yo nov stks (5) fbs in Nov beating Captain Imperial (9-2) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Proud Times (USA) 7-2 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on to go remote 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Urban Poet (9-2) at Hamilton 1m 3f mdn stks (5) gf.
Guestofthenation (USA) 11-1 (9-7) Prominent, led 4f out, headed well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Red Cadeaux (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
All Guns Firing (IRE) 4-1 (8-8) Took keen hold, held up, dropped to last before straight, headway on wide outside under pressure, hung left final 2f, never able to challenge, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Alanbrooke (8-13) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Royal Trooper (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden and headway on inner over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Acquisition (9-7) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Tapis Wizard 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Amazing Blue Sky (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
Hector's House 10-1 (9-7) In touch, weakened and edged left over 2f out, 6th of 8, 14l behind Hawkeyethenoo (8-7) at Beverley 1m 3yo app hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Amethyst Dawn (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, led over 8f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on gamely towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Acquisition (9-7) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Gosforth Park 9-2 (8-5) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 8, 5l behind Acquisition (9-7) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
