with leaders, weakened final furlong
held up behind, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway and switched left over 1f out, stayed on
mid-division, soon pushed along, weakened over 1f out
with leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on
close up, weakened final furlong
mid-division, one pace final furlong
mid-division, stayed on from over 1f out
dwelt, always towards rear
made virtually all, stayed on well inside final furlong
chased leaders, no impression final furlong
behind, effort 2f out, never dangerous
with leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, always towards rear
DANCING MAITE heads our shortlist. With Bravely, Misphire and Castles In The Air also forwarded as ones to keep close to hand in another race where the betting market is seldom of any use in pinpointing the outright winner. Castles In The Air has relatively few miles on the clock and, having won at Hamilton last time out, he arrives here with his confidence on a high. His stable won this with a well-backed runner last year but it might be dangerous to just assume likewise support will bring about the desired effect again today. Misphie is a more adventurous nomination and probably one to treat with caution if the going is fast. However, she knows how to win a race and, with her yard in good form, she is no forlorn hope if the ground is soft enough for her. Bravely has been the model of consistency and deserves a change of fortune. However, a solitary win from 16 previous starts tells its own story and he isn't one to trust implicitly in a finish. Dancing Maite, on the other hand, can be relied upon to give his all and, as he is in the form of his life just now, this versatile character gets the nod as a speculative each-way punt in a very tough finale.
Shotley Mac 25-1 (8-13) Led far side group, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 20, 17l behind Mister Hardy (8-11) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar.
River Kirov (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) In touch, effort over 2f out, soon under pressure, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Mogok Ruby (8-9) at Kempton 6f hcap (4) pol in Jan.
Methaaly (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) In rear, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 6l behind Tyrannosaurus Rex (9-1) at Chester 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Geezers Colours 14-1 (8-11) Checked leaders in 3rd, ridden 2f out, soon beaten, last of 9, 11l behind Capricorn Run (8-9) at Kempton 7f hcap (2) pol in Feb.
Silver Wind 33-1 (8-4) Raced centre, led until halfway, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 7l behind Jimmy Styles (9-4) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May.
Misphire 16-1 (8-13) Dwelt, always behind, last of 10, 19l behind Ponty Rossa (9-0) at Ripon 6f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gs in May.
Bel Cantor 20-1 (8-2) With leader, led over 3f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Grazeon Gold Blend (7-9) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Castles In The Air 5-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong, won at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in May beating Bonnie Prince Blue (9-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
Green Park (IRE) 40-1 (8-8) In touch, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 9l behind Baby Strange (8-13) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Ingleby Arch (USA) 3-1 (9-11) Always behind, 6th of 7, 6l behind All The Nines (9-11) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Dancing Maite 20-1 (8-2) Led, driven 2f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 1 1/4l behind Oceana Blue (8-9) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Hotham 33-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 9, 9l behind Total Impact (9-1) at Redcar 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Bravely (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Raced keen towards rear, headway and effort 2f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Barricado (8-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Leonid Glow 22-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, ridden along and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Methaaly (8-13) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in May.
Bonnie Prince Blue 6-1 (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Johannes (8-7) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Hits Only Jude (IRE) 11-2 (9-6) Led, headed over 4f out, tracked leaders after, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Imprimis Tagula (9-7) at Southwell 7f clm stks (6) fbs.
Eastern Hills 66-1 (8-13) In touch to halfway, 11th of 14, 8l behind Barricado (8-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Arizona John (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Paraguay (9-2) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
Whiskey Creek 9-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and edged left 2f out, one pace, 5th of 9, 4l behind Lochstar (9-7) at Lingfield 5f Handicap (0-85) (3yo+) (4) pol in May.
Know No Fear 14-1 (9-1) Very slowly into stride, always behind, 9th of 10, 16l behind Stonecrabstomorrow (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
