towards rear, headway over 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
tracked leaders, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, pushed along over 4f out, effort over 2f out, no impression
led, headed after 2f, remained in touch, regained lead over 4f out, headed over 3f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, some late headway but never near to challenge
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, headway over 3f out, stayed on towards finish
prominent until weakened over 2f out
held up, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no extra close home
always in rear
in touch, led after 2f, headed over 4f out, soon behind
dwelt, held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, one pace final 2f
mid-division, headway on inner over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
prominent until weakened over 2f out
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, never dangerous
always behind
in touch until outpaced over 3f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
There are many that can be given chances here, including Turnstile, Backgammon, Stoop To Conquer, Nowell House, Pass The Port, Ski Jump, Dickie Deadeye and Wing Collar, but the vote goes to Turnstile. Given that the first two horses mentioned in that list are set to rise by ten and eight pounds, respectively, in the ratings following recent wins, they are two well-treated runners. Of them we prefer Turnstile, who looked very progressive at Kempton last time and has shown he can act on good to soft going. Stoop To Conquer looked progressive last autumn and likes soft going so could go well, while Pass The Port is now two pounds better off with Dickie Deadeye for the three-quarter-of-a-length that separated them at Newbury last time, and they will both attract support. Hezaam has dropped to a better-looking mark now, while Ski Jump is a very likeable type and, with another year on his back, might stay this kind of trip this time around. Wing Collar improved for the step up in trip last time and might do so again, while Sporting Gesture loves it here but all of his winning form has come on good or faster going. Of the others, Vicious Prince looked a little bit more like his old self last time but, for the winner we will stick with Turnstile, who would be a popular winner for Her Majesty The Queen on the Knavesmire.
Mesmeric (IRE) 12-1 In rear, not clear run over 3f out, switched left, stayed on, not trouble leaders, 7th of 12, 17l behind Balkan Knight at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp gs.
Stoop To Conquer 6-1 Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m hcp (D2) sft in Oct beating Teresa by 3 1/2l, 13 ran.
Nowell House 14-1 Chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 19, 5l behind Balkan Knight at York 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (C) gs in May '04.
Turnstile 9-1 Disputed lead, advantage over 3f out, ridden and in command 2f out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 1m 6f hcp gd beating Hathlen by 4l, 14 ran.
Nessen Dorma (IRE) 12-1 Tracked leaders, lost place over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 31l behind Backgammon at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp gs.
Backgammon 14-1 Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway to lead over 2f out, eased close home, won at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp gs beating Marias Magic by 3l, 10 ran.
Historic Place (USA) 8-1 Held up, pushed along over 4f out, effort over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 7, 26l behind Sendintank at Doncaster 2m hcp (C1) sft in Nov.
Pass The Port 8-1 Held up mid-division, steady headway from 3f out, edged left and led over 2f out, headed 1f out, 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind Dickie Deadeye at Newbury 1m 5f hcp gs in Apr.
Hezaam (USA) 16-1 Prominent, outpaced 3f out, 7th of 12, 9l behind Mith Hill at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp gs in Apr.
Ski Jump (USA) 12-1 Held up behind, headway 4f out, ridden 3f out, one pace final 2f, no impression, 4th of 11, 10l behind Sendintank at Musselburgh 2m hcp (D2) gs in Nov.
Rio De Janeiro (IRE) 25-1 Started very slowly, well in rear, effort on wide outside and hung badly left inside final 2f, no danger after, 7th of 15, 11l behind Tromp at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp gd in Apr.
Mungo Jerry (GER) 4-1fav With leader, lost place after 3f, chased winner over 3f out, switched right over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 7l behind St Savarin at Haydock 1m 3f hcp sft in Apr.
Wing Collar 9-1 Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and not clear run over 1f out, stayed on well to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Most Definitely at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (E3) gs in Oct.
Dundry 20-1 Held up towards rear, not clear run and switched to outer 3f out, led well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, nk behind Balkan Knight at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp gs.
Dickie Deadeye 9-1 Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, won at Newbury 1m 5f hcp gs in Apr beating Pass The Port by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Charlotte Vale 12-1 Towards rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Backgammon at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp gs.
Sporting Gesture 16-1 In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened final 2f, 8th of 12, 15l behind Mith Hill at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp gs in Apr.
Pagan Magic (USA) 6-1 Keen, in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 18l behind Mamcazma at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp (D2) pol in Nov.
Vicious Prince (IRE) 6-1 Held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 9, 7l behind Lucky Judge at Redcar 2m hcp 0-75 (E) sft in Jul.
Jair Ohmsford (IRE) 2-1fav Held up towards rear, ridden and headway well over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Mungo Jerry at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp sft in Apr.
