in touch, pushed along halfway, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final 1f
slowly away, outpaced and always behind
held up, pushed along halfway, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, switched right and chased winner inside final furlong, ran on
outpaced, pushed along halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on final 1f
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, driven out
slowly away, behind, ran wide into straight, ridden and struggling 2f out
Music Box Express has been running well of late with placed efforts at Bath and Folkestone either side of a respectable effort at the latter venue and George Baker's gelding has to be respected receiving weight all round but a 2lb rise since his latest start may mean he has to settle for minor honours again and preference is for BENLLECH, who gets the vote ahead of Pawan. Ann Stokell's gelding does not win very often but ran up to his best when chasing home Hoh Hoh Hoh at Nottingham two starts ago in May and he has every chance on that form, racing off a 1lb lower mark today. Peter Island was good value for his win at Leicester in April but has paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper in two starts since then and he probably needs dropping in the weights. Diriculous has been given a chance having been dropped 10lbs since his latest start and market support for the Terry Mills-trained five-year-old would be of interest. Rod Millman's Phantom Whisper has disappointed in recent outings and a safer option looks to be Benllech. David Simcock's gelding has shown gradual improvement in recent outings, latterly finishing just a head behind Johannes at Redcar and, off the same mark today, he should take all the beating.
Pawan (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 8, 10l behind Spin Cycle (8-12) at Musselburgh 5f cond stks (2) gd in May.
Bond City (IRE) 22-1 (9-4) In touch, headway 2f out, soon ridden and effort, edged left and no extra final furlong, 5th of 10, 1l behind Baby Strange (8-13) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Diriculous 25-1 (9-4) Behind, driven over 2f out, no impression on leaders over 1f out, 6th of 7, 9l behind Strike The Deal (9-4) at Lingfield 6f stks (3yo+) (3) pol in May.
Benllech 6-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, kept on final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 8, hd behind Johannes (8-12) at Redcar 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Phantom Whisper 18-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden when hung right 2f out, faded final furlong, 9th of 13, 4 1/2l behind High Standing (9-4) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Peter Island (FR) 16-1 (8-13) Set good pace and soon clear, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, faded, 10th of 13, 5l behind High Standing (9-4) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Barons Spy (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 8l behind Ocean Transit (8-12) at Warwick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Music Box Express 6-1 (9-5) Tracked winner, led over 3f out, edged right and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Billy Red (9-12) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
