in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
pulled hard, led after 1f, set steady pace, quicken pace 3f out, ridden and caught post
pulled hard, held up in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
close up, lost place 3f out, ridden and ran on to lead post
keen, close up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace
slowly into stride, held up, outpaced over 2f out, ran on final furlong, never dangerous
slowly into stride, held up, never troubled leaders
pulled hard, held up, ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong, not reach leaders
led 1f, remained handy, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
This is a competitive handicap in which Downland, Trafalgar Square and Mugeba make up the shortlist and the narrow vote is given to Mugeba. The selection was well-beaten at Pontefract last time but she had previously run well in a handicap at Windsor when fourth behind Nautical. She should be suited by the return to 7 furlongs - her sole success came over this course and distance - and with the useful Adam Kirby taking 5lbs off her back she is taken to return to winning ways. Downland is in good form and was only just denied a second consecutive win when narrowly beaten by Yorkshire Blue at Doncaster earlier this month. A reproduction of that effort should see him go close. Trafalgar Square put up a fair effort at Haydock last time but his best form is over further than today's trip and for that reason he is passed over. Iced Diamond shaped as though he was returning to a bit of form last time and is another to consider, but Mugeba has plenty in her favour today and is given the vote.
Torquemada (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Slowly away, towards rear, never trouble leaders, 9th of 12, 8l behind Master Robbie (9-9) at Leicester 7f hcp (4) gf.
Downland (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Yorkshire Blue (8-8) at Doncaster 7f hcp (5) gd.
Sam's Secret 8-1 (8-5) Held up mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 12l behind Hazewind (8-11) at Leicester 7f stk 0-70 (5) gd.
Trafalgar Square 4-1co-fav (9-5) Behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Along The Nile (9-3) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Mugeba 9-1 (8-11) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 19l behind Mr Wolf (9-6) at Pontefract 6f stk 0-65 (5) gf.
Black Oval 20-1 (8-1) Led, headed over 4f out, remained prominent, ridden and every chance from 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not quicken near finish, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Coranglais (8-13) at Leicester 6f hcp (5) gf.
Iced Diamond (IRE) 20-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, edged right and ran on final furlong, 3rd of 17, nk behind Saxon Lil (10-0) at Chepstow 7f hcp (5) gf.
Warlingham (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) With leader, ridden when every chance over 1f out, weakened quickly, 12th of 15, 10l behind Cayman Breeze (9-6) at Brighton 6f hcp (6) frm.
