chased leaders to halfway
made all, clear halfway, ridden out final furlong
towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, headway 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong
in touch, ridden along halfway, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
prominent, driven over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, driven over 1f out, was one pace until weakened inside final furlong
always rear division
prominent, ridden along halfway, was one pace until weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, driven and kept on final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
held up behind winner, effort over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong
prominent, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders for 4f
RIVER FALCON loves his racing at York and can gain a fourth course and distance win if all goes to plan for him. Valery Borzov and Abraham Lincoln run for the irrepressible David Nicholls and both have to be respected, while Excusez Moi has bounced back to form with a couple of wins under his belt of late. The last named has made the most of a drop in the ratings and should again be on the premises despite carrying 6lb extra. Abraham Lincoln - a one-time Ballydoyle inmate - has a touch of class and it can only be a matter of time before Nicholls works his magic on him. However, the jockey bookings suggest he is a work in progress and Valery Borzov may be the best hope for the Thirsk-based handler today. Nevertheless, when it come to horses-for-courses River Falcon knows York inside out and he can be a solid fancy to provide the biggest thrill in what is likely to be a grandstand finish.
Diriculous 6-5fav (9-0) Towards rear, slightly outpaced 2f out with plenty to do, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, ran on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Buachaill Dona (9-0) at Kempton 6f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol in Apr.
Valery Borzov (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 9, 9l behind Tamagin (9-6) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Apr.
Skhilling Spirit 12-1 (9-3) Started very slowly and very reluctant to race, always behind, 15th of 17, 29l behind Icelandic (9-3) at Doncaster 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Nov.
Abraham Lincoln (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Royal Rock (9-0) at Haydock 6f cond Stakes (2) gd.
Ishetoo 16-1 (9-4) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 7l behind Advanced (9-4) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-100 (2) fm in Apr.
River Falcon 9-1 (8-12) Behind, effort and some headway final furlong, 5th of 8, 4l behind Spin Cycle (8-12) at Musselburgh 5f cond stks (2) gd.
Ajigolo 100-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on, never near leaders, 8th of 16, 7l behind Amour Propre (8-7) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Bond City (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Chased leaders over 4f, 15th of 21, 10l behind Invincible Force (8-7) at Doncaster 7f hcap (2) sft in Nov.
Rising Shadow (IRE) (8-11) 9th of 10, 9l behind Utmost Respect (8-13) at Maisons-laffitte(FR) 6f stk in Nov.
Excusez Moi (USA) 14-1 (9-4) Towards rear, smooth headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Ripon 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating High Curragh (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Harrison George (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) Held up stands side group, headway over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 20, 6l behind Palace Moon (8-8) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Mar.
Roker Park (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 5f hcap (4) sft in Nov beating Le Toreador (8-11) by 2l, 13 ran.
Commando Scott (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 12, 14l behind Opus Maximus (8-13) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Barons Spy (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ran wide entering straight, ridden over 1f out, no headway, 8th of 10, 10l behind Desert Dreamer (8-5) at Warwick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Pavershooz 16-1 (9-1) In touch stands side group, ridden well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 16, ns behind High Curragh (8-11) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
He's A Humbug (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Chased leaders for 3f, 11th of 13, 11l behind Pacific Pride (8-6) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Capricorn Run (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Broke well, led for 1f , ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 7, hd behind Abbondanza (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (2) pol.
