held up, headway going well halfway, led 2f out, pushed clear final furlong
led to 2f out, weakened quickly
held up, one pace and no impression final 2f
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ran on inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner
reared start and rider briefly lost iron, behind, ridden on outside halfway, no impression
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner
slowly away, always off the pace
An apprentice handicap to round up proceedings and Matterofact is selected to reach the winning post in front where Trinculo and Rocker look the most obvious dangers. Matterofact made her seasonal debut at Bath where she ran on quite well in the closing stages to take the runner up berth. Despite that pleasing effort, the handicapper has dropped Malcolm Saunders' mare 3lb and with a capable apprentice on-board, Matterofact is the selection. This track favours a front runner such as Trinculo, who boldly made all at Warwick. Likely to be out of trouble, despite his advancing years he is sure to be towards the head of affairs come the closing stages while Rocker is another likely pace setter who deserves consideration. Matterofact gets the vote to get punters out on a winning note.
Crimson Fern (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Mid-division, closed on leaders going easily, when clipped heels and almost fell entering final furlong, soon eased, virtually pulled up, 10th of 12, 16l behind Dualagi (9-5) at Bath 6f fll hcp (5) gf.
Trinculo (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Made all, clear over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon edged left, driven out, won at Warwick 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf beating Mandarin Spirit (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Harrison's Flyer (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Never better than finishing position, 8th of 14, 8l behind Buy On The Red (9-4) at Bath 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Azygous 8-1 (8-10) Held up, ridden halfway, soon beaten, 16th of 17, 12l behind Jilly Why (8-11) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Rocker 10-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, kept on final strides, not trouble winner, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind What Do You Know (9-4) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
Peopleton Brook 22-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden to challenge 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 11th of 17, 8l behind Jilly Why (8-11) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Matterofact (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) In touch, effort 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, ran on, took 2nd post, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Dualagi (9-5) at Bath 6f fll hcp (5) gf.
Puskas (IRE) 22-1 (8-5) Raced keenly, with leader, led over 2f out, hung left final furlong, headed towards finish, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Imperial Sword (8-9) at Warwick 6f app hcp (6) gs.
