in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out
always towards rear
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, pushed along halfway, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, led over 2f out, driven out final furlong
in touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Nonrunner
It was probably a weak York maiden that Dabbers Ridge won last month and the Barry Hills-trained colt has plenty of weight for what he has achieved on his debut in a handicap and preference is for Triple Two, who gets the vote ahead of Windhover. The last mentioned is another having his first start in a handicap today having won a Carlisle maiden last time but that did not look to be the strongest of races and he may be best watched. Breaking Shadow has gone well off a similar mark before and is entitled to be thereabouts on the pick of his form so cannot be discounted, while Curtain Bluff has been raised 3lbs for winning a Yarmouth maiden where his main rivals disappointed and now has more to do. The Mark Tompkins-trained Maneki Neko should improve now that she races on a faster surface and is another to consider but the vote goes to Triple Two. Ed Dunlop's filly won her two starts on the all-weather this winter, latterly a handicap over six furlongs, and there is no reason why she cannot improve further for racing on turf for the first time. Off just a 7lb higher mark than last time, the daughter of Pivotal is taken to make a winning turf debut.
Dabbers Ridge (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Made all towards far side, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at York 7f 3yo mdn (4) sft in May beating Topatoo (8-9) by 2l, 6 ran.
Breaking Shadow (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Postgraduate (9-4) at Ayr 7f 3yo hcp (4) sft in May.
Curtain Bluff 5-4fav (9-0) Tracked leader, led well over 2f out, quickened clear approaching final furlong, pushed out, won at Beverley 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May beating Bachelor Affair (9-0) by 6l, 8 ran.
Triple Two 2-1fav (9-7) In touch, headway over 1f out, led soon after, held on, won at W'hampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (E3) pol in Dec beating Rancho Cucamonga (9-0) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Windhover 9-2 (9-0) Dwelt, tracked leader, led halfway, comfortably, won at Carlisle 7f 3yo mdn (5) frm in May beating Turks Wood (9-0) by 3l, 9 ran.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) In rear when hampered after 2f, mid-division when pushed along 4f out, no headway final 2f, 10th of 18, 16l behind Gibraltar Bay (9-0) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Maneki Neko (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leaders centre, weakened entering final furlong, 5th of 17, 6l behind Scarlet Invader (8-13) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (5) gd in May.
Adoration 11-4 (9-1) Close up stands' side, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 13, 9l behind Tom Forest (8-12) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp (5) gd in May.
Zagreus (GER) 25-1 (8-8) Mid-division, soon pushed along, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 14, 16l behind Matsunosuke (8-11) at Catterick 6f mdn stk (5) gd in Apr.
Press Express (IRE) 20-1 (8-1) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 17, 12l behind Astronomical (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
