mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on
held up in touch, ridden, one pace when not clear run over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden, every chance inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden over 1f out to chase leaders, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led 2f out, fading when headed inside final furlong
awkward start, towards rear, some progress over 1f out
slowly into stride, always in rear
slowly into stride, some late progress
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, swept through to lead inside final furlong
Nonrunner
In a tricky race, Desert Dust is selected ahead of Muktasb and Seven No Trumps. Desert Dust won a banded stakes race from today's mark in November and, given that he goes ok on this surface and has not been overfaced since then, can go well. Muktasb has any number of fair runs in the last 12 months from around today's mark and looks a big player too. From a dropping mark and good draw, Seven No Trumps can't be ruled out of a good run, Dysonic can't be ruled out of a place, Ruby's Dream holds claims based on last summer's Turf form, and Navigation looked as though a sixth furlong would suit when running promisingly last time so it will be interesting to see how he fares over the minimum trip again. Majestical might also prove better over six and Spirit Of Comiston has yet to cut it lately in handicaps. All of which returns us to the selection, which Desert Dust.
Seven No Trumps 12-1 (7-10) Mid-division, ridden along and headway 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Paddywack (8-10) at Ripon 5f app hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Dysonic (USA) 5-1jt-fav (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon every chance, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Whinhill House (9-0) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Apr.
Beamsley Beacon 8-1 (9-6) Soon led, challenged 2f out, headed approaching 1f out, faded, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Monte Major (9-5) at W'hampton 5f clm (6) pol in Apr.
Desert Dust 9-1 (8-9) Led 2f, remained prominent, ridden halfway, soon one pace, 4th of 10, 5l behind Egyptian Lord (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb.
Muktasb (USA) 7-1 (8-12) Steadied start, held up behind, chased leaders inside final 2f, not clear run, stayed on inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Union Jack Jackson (8-9) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Apr.
Navigation (IRE) 4-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed near finish, 4th of 11, 1/2l behind Orchestration (8-9) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Feb.
Lady Hopeful (IRE) 11-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, soon switched left, some late progress, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Triskaidekaphobia (8-9) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Majestical (IRE) 13-2 (8-13) Led until headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 3 1/2l behind King of Charm (8-11) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Mar.
