held up towards rear, closed steadily over 3f out, ridden to press leaders on outside over 2f out, driven, beaten when hung right over 1f out
held up in rear, well off the pace, headway going easily 2f out, effort on rails, kept on inside final furlong
slowly away, soon pushed up to chase leader, clear of rest, ridden 4f out, weakened, eased final 2f
led at good pace, clear with one rival, reduced lead over 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened rapidly final furlong
reluctant to go to post, prominent in chasing group, closed to track leading pair over 3f out, every chance over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, driven to chase winner final furlong, held near finish
in touch in chasing group, driven over 3f out, soon weakened
chased clear leading pair, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, off the pace, steady headway from 3f out, driven to lead over 1f out, held on near finish, all out
held up towards rear, ridden, struggling final 3f
Nonrunner
Nuit Sombre can make it back-to-back wins by landing this claimer; Nero's Return and Prince Des Neiges should give him the most to think about. The selection won in good style at Chepstow last time when beating Sawwaah. He goes well fresh and as this is only his second run of the season he could be worth siding with again. Nero's Return has yet to hit top form since joining Gary Moore but he was a little unlucky last time when he was forced to race wide throughout and now that he is dropped to this grade he should be capable of getting competitive. Prince Des Neiges has finished second on each of his last three starts and although he should again be capable of running into a place, this ground is quicker than is ideal for him. Black Falcon is eased in grade so could be of some interest at an each-way price, but Nuit Sombre is clearly on good terms with himself at present and he can get his head in front again tonight.
Black Falcon (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) In rear, effort and headway on outer over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 15l behind Kristensen (8-12) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
King's Ransom 13-2 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden headway over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Bay Boy (9-1) at Leicester 1m 2f clm (5) sft.
Nero's Return (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, in rear, effort and wide over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 7, 8l behind Pocketwood (8-8) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcap (4) gd.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Made all, soon clear, ridden 2f out, ridden out, won at Chepstow 1m 2f clm (6) gf in May beating Sawwaah (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Prince Des Neiges (FR) 5-2fav (9-8) Tracked leader, driven to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Birkside (9-8) at Brighton 1m 2f sll (6) sft in May.
Treetops Hotel (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Held up, headway 5f out, stayed on one pace final 2f, 5th of 11, 4l behind Gaelic Roulette (8-12) at Lingfield 2m hcap (6) gf in May.
Countback (FR) 7-1 (8-12) Led after 1f, headed after 4f, ridden over 1f out, headed and one pace, 5th of 11, 8l behind Rocknest Island (8-8) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Apr.
Missie Baileys 7-1 (9-3) Held up, steady headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on to take modest 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Birkside (9-8) at Brighton 1m 2f sll (6) sft in May.
