towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, one pace
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on
soon behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
in touch and keen, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader, weakened halfway, eased 2f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
The Michael Dodds-trained Balakiref was in need of the run on his reappearance and he is fancied to be a different proposition today. Cloud Dancer, Locombe Hill and Ulysees can give the selection the most to think about. Cloud Dancer has some solid form to his name and will be dangerous to dismiss in this company. He was clobbered by the assessor after winning a modest handicap on the All Weather last December and struggled lately as a result. However, he is now back on a winning mark and should be able to get competitive again soon. Similar comments apply to Locombe Hill, who has gone well here in the past. He has won off a much higher rating when he was at his best and is dangerously well treated off 66 if he can recapture his old sparkle. However, he has been hard to predict and is not one to trust implicitly. Ulysees won well on his reappearance and is another with solid course from to his name. However, he is also hard to get right and needs to post a much better display than his effort at Hamilton from last month. Therefore, the vote goes to Balakiref, whose fourth in last season's Ayr Silver Cup reads as well as any piece of form on offer. A repeat does will make the son of Royal Applause very hard to master today.
Balakiref 13-2 (8-9) Prominent far side group, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final furlong, 6th of 17, 9l behind Raymond's Pride (9-0) at Ripon 6f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Ulysees (IRE) 9-2 (9-11) Behind, soon outpaced, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 15l behind George The Best (9-0) at Hamilton 6f hcp (5) gs.
Namroud (USA) 11-1 (9-6) Behind stands' side, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 6th of 20, 6l behind Mecca's Mate (9-6) at Thirsk 6f hcp (5) gd.
Scotland The Brave 8-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind River of Babylon (9-7) at Redcar 7f fll hcp (4) gf.
Locombe Hill (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Led after 2f, headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 17l behind Sandorra (8-12) at Newcastle 7f app clm (6) gs.
Glencairn Star 12-1 (8-4) Chased leaders to halfway stands' side, last of 17, 22l behind Raymond's Pride (9-0) at Ripon 6f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Kew The Music 6-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind, some headway final furlong, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Landucci (9-3) at Brighton 7f hcp (5) gf.
Melaina 40-1 (8-8) Chased leaders to halfway, 12th of 14, 15l behind Up Tempo (9-8) at Redcar 6f clm (6) gf.
Ballycroy Girl (IRE) 10-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden halfway, stayed on inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Oceancookie (8-2) at Warwick 7f fll hcp (5) gd.
Ringarooma 14-1 (8-1) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 7l behind Oceancookie (8-2) at Warwick 7f fll hcp (5) gd.
Cloud Dancer 16-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 7l behind Steely Dan (9-1) at Lingfield 7f hcp (D2) pol in Feb.
