led until headed just over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
took keen hold, prominent, chased leaders 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden to lead just over 2f out, edge right final furlong, ran on strongly
held up behind, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
with leader, ridden 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
steadied start, soon mid-division, headway over 2f out, pressed winner 1f out, every chance when edge left inside final furlong, always held
prominent on outer, ridden, every chance 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
chased leaders until weakened from 3f out
behind, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous
in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, not reach leaders
always behind, some headway on outer over 2f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
Everest, Louisiade and Keon are three against the field in a trappy opener and the vote is given to Louisiade. The selection has been in good form of late and won a handicap in good style a couple of runs ago. This represents a drop in class and under conditions that suit he is hard to oppose. Everest rates the main danger on his latest third behind Burnley Al when last seen but the suspicion is he may just need the run after a long absence and he is taken on with this in mind. Keon is another that could go well on his latest second behind Holiday Cocktail but he is hard to win with and looks opposable. Of the remainder, the booking of Simon Walker for Capital Lass catches the eye and she should be watched in the market while Conrad hails from a yard in top form and is another that could go well at a price. But in a race where stakes should be kept to the minimum for the winner we return to Louisiade.
Everest (IRE) 11-8fav (9-8) Held up, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Burnley Al (8-13) at Hamilton 1m clm (6) gf in Aug.
Keon (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Held up, not clear run over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Holiday Cocktail (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Mar.
Louisiade (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) Held up, headway 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Dudley Docker (8-12) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Mine The Balance (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, effort and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 4l behind Greenwood (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Machinate (USA) 11-4fav (8-9) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 13l behind Desert Lover (8-8) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Mar.
Conrad 5-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 7l behind Future's Dream (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
Kingsmaite 7-1 (8-8) Held up mid-division, no impression from over 2f out, 7th of 11, 5l behind Motu (9-0) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Hand Chime 25-1 (8-1) Keen, held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 13, shd behind Greenwood (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
