slowly into stride and bumped start, held up mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on
slowly into stride, went wide on bend over 3f out, stayed on
always in rear
mid-division, keen, not clear run 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out to chase leaders, one pace final furlong
in touch, switch right 2f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, kept on
always in rear
tracked leaders, chased leaders 2f out, one pace
mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
slowly into stride, always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, faded final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden approaching 2f out, soon beaten
Nonrunner
This looks a nightmare for punters and the tentative vote goes to Emma Jean Lad ahead of My Beautaful and Knapton Hill. Stan Moore continues in good form and the selection returned from a lengthy break to finish a decent second last time out. That run qualified him for handicaps and he may be capable of winning off this lowly mark of 60. Despite being no stable star, he should strip fitter for that run and has solid claims in an open contest. Forced Upon Us won a seller at Wolverhampton last September and has claims in this turgid contest, as does My Beautaful although she may appreciate further in time. Eastern Princess is not the most straight-forward of horses but has claims getting weight from the whole field, whilst Candyland put in a good effort when upped to this trip last time out and has place claims at least. Knapton Hill is consistent but tends to find at least one too good so we will side with Emma Jean Lad to land the modest spoils.
Forced Upon Us 9-2 (9-3) Slowly away, in rear, headway over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 8l behind Tobago Reef (9-4) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Emma Jean Lad (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Steadied start, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind King's Apostle (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Mar.
Mr Forthright 50-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened, last of 9, 15l behind Genki (9-3) at Folkestone 6f 3yo mdn aut (5) gd.
Arnie's Joint (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Pulled hard towards rear, no impression on leaders over 1f out, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Daddy Cool (9-0) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Knapton Hill 7-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, led 1f out, headed well inside last, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Pietersen (9-1) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Grazie Mille 25-1 (8-6) In touch, stumbled and lost place soon after start, soon behind, last of 12, 16l behind Habalwatan (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Calloff The Search 12-1 (8-3) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Nordic Light (8-9) at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Merlins Quest 33-1 (9-3) With leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 10l behind Genki (9-3) at Folkestone 6f 3yo mdn aut (5) gd.
Candyland (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Led, hard driven, headed inside final furlong, chased winner but held until lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Carefree (8-13) at Lingfield 7f fll hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Prince Noel 80-1 (7-8) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 8l behind Celtic Step (8-13) at Catterick 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Mr Mini Scule 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders until weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 9l behind Doctor Ned (7-13) at Folkestone 7f 3yo sll hcp (6) gd.
Jost Van Dyke 33-1 (8-4) Always behind, 7th of 12, 6l behind Nordic Light (8-9) at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Eastern Princess 25-1 (8-5) Tracked leader, hung left over 1f out, soon lost 2nd and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Jojesse (8-12) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Mar.
My Beautaful 14-1 (8-12) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Ridgewell (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Mar.
