in touch, ridden well over 1f out, kept on same pace
prominent, weakened inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, kept on to lead last 75 yards
led, ridden, headed over 1f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed last 75 yards, kept on
in touch, kept on from over 1f out
held up towards rear, effort halfway, weakened entering final furlong
in touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on
Plenty of exposed runners in a typically competitive sprint opener for the Knavesmire and Green Park looks capable of reversing Chester form with Bertoliver and taking it, while stablemate Bo McGinty looks short list material. Bertoliver is noted for showing good early pace and so the tight turns of the Roodee played into his hands last week when he got in front and could not be pegged back. In an ironic twist Paul Hanagan, who rode Bertoliver that day, now sidesteps the mount for the leg-up on Green Park for his guv'nor Richard Fahey, and the move can prove successful. Now 6lb better off with Bertoliver, plus a rails draw, Green Park acts on fast ground and all four of his wins have come at the minimum trip. He should also get the strong pace he needs here from Bertoliver and one or two others, and he will be running on at the business end. Fahey also saddles Bo McGinty, successful on the fibresand when last seen out, and running from 4lb out of the handicap here. However, useful claimer Brian McHugh takes 7lb off the back of the gelding, who acts on fast ground, and he should not be far away. William Haggas has his yard in good nick but Conquest has shown nothing lately so would be a bit of a surprise winner, while stablemate Fyodor looks a better proposition having dropped to 6lb below his latest success. River Falcon needs a career best to land the prize from his current mark and Northern Empire is 9lb higher than his best win, so is clearly up against it. It's been a long time between drinks for Bond City, but he is now well handicapped on his best form, though the same can't be said of Rebel Duke. Strike Up The Band is not the force he once was and we prefer the chance of Green Park to land the opener.
Conquest (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 9l behind Captain Gerrard (8-7) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Aegean Dancer 7-2 (9-1) In touch, led halfway, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Tartatartufata (7-11) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Jan.
Tournedos (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Towards rear, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 14, 11l behind Bertoliver (8-8) at Chester 5f hcap (2) gd.
Strike Up The Band 25-1 (8-13) With winner, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 7th of 14, 9l behind Bertoliver (8-8) at Chester 5f hcap (2) gd.
River Falcon 4-1 (9-1) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Northern Fling (9-4) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Apr.
Northern Empire (IRE) 9-4 (9-1) Held up in touch, driven inside final furlong, every chance when edged right inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 9, nk behind Canadian Danehill (9-1) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs in Mar.
Bertoliver 12-1 (8-8) Made all, shaken up over 1f out, kept on well, won at Chester 5f hcap (2) gd beating Green Park (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Fyodor (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Pulled hard in rear, headway to have every chance over 1f out, ridden, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Royal Rock (9-4) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Apr.
Green Park (IRE) 10-3fav (8-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner towards finish, no impression, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Bertoliver (8-8) at Chester 5f hcap (2) gd.
Special Day 33-1 (8-7) Raced centre, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, nearest finish, 10th of 25, 4 1/2l behind Off The Record (8-12) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gd.
Tabaret 16-1 (9-1) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 12l behind Luscivious (8-4) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Apr.
Bond City (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Chief Editor (9-3) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Apr.
Fantasy Explorer 16-1 (8-9) Held up, in touch until weakened inside final furlong, last of 9, 3 1/2l behind Chief Editor (9-3) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Apr.
Rebel Duke (IRE) 14-1 (8-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 5l behind Bertoliver (8-8) at Chester 5f hcap (2) gd.
Bo McGinty (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (8-10) Towards rear, reminders halfway, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 7l behind Luscivious (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-90 (3) fbs.
