held up, came stand side over 3f out, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, came stand side over 3f out, lost place halfway
slowly into stride, held up, came stand side over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, never able to challenge
close up, came stand side over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong
chased leaders, came stand side over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, came stand side over 3f out, switched left and short lived effort over 1f out
soon led, came stand side over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, driven and stayed on final furlong
tracked leader, came stand side over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong
Milton Bradley has farmed this race in recent years so it could pay to side with LITHAAM ahead of Espy and Pic Up Sticks amongst others. Espy promised to make up into a useful sort when recording back to back successes last summer but the wheels have come off to some extent. He was back on the right path at Bath six days ago but needs to build on that run. Caribbean Coral has been rolling back the years but he failed to pick up from off the pace at Folkestone and may be feeling the effects of his recent exertions although the winner may have been favoured by racing against the far side rail. Pic Up Sticks is in fine form and races from the same mark as when a close third at Newbury; he always needs the gaps to appear at the right time but should go close if they do. Orpen's Art has form at this track from similar marks and can be rated a little better than the bare form of his latest run but we'll take a chance with Lithaam. The gelding has been struggling in the main on the all-weather this year but bounced back to form with a close third at Beverley. He's able to race off a mark from which he's won in the past so Lithaam looks worth siding with now that he's found his form.
Espy 13-2 (9-9) Held up, behind, headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, took 2nd close home, not reached winner, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Bateleur (8-12) at Bath 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fm.
Caribbean Coral 8-11fav (9-1) Held up, headway against far rail over 2f out, went 2nd 2f out, soon ridden, no chance with winner from over 1f out, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Bertie Southstreet (8-12) at Folkestone 6f clm stks (6) gf.
Pic Up Sticks 6-1 (9-9) Prominent on outside, chased leaders going well over 1f out, chased winner 1f out, not quite pace to challenge inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Brandywell Boy (9-2) at Newbury 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Orpen's Art (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Billy Red (9-12) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Berrymead 15-2 (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, no extra final furlong, 5th of 10, 2l behind Billy Red (9-12) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Lithaam (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 14, nk behind Foreign Rhythm (8-10) at Beverley 5f Apprentice Handicap (0-55) (3yo+) (6) gf.
Just Joey 66-1 (9-2) Mid-division, weakened halfway, eased when beaten final furlong, last of 12, 31l behind Argentine (9-10) at Carlisle 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Louie's Lad 9-2 (8-1) In touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, not pace to trouble leaders final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Brandywell Boy (9-2) at Newbury 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Firenza Bond 50-1 (9-3) In touch, towards inside when hampered inside final 2f, soon switched left and hampered again, soon hung left and beaten, 9th of 10, 12l behind Ziggy Lee (8-11) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
