towards rear, mid-division over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression
towards rear, not clear run over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
led until headed 4f out, soon ridden and gradually weakened
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on to chase winner over 1f out, soon one pace
always handy, smooth headway to lead 4f out, soon ridden, kept on well final furlong
mid-division, outpaced over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, kept on from over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
towards rear, ridden over 4f out, no impression
always behind
Cotton Eyed Joe slipped to what appeared an attractive rating and duly obliged last time at his favoured Southwell beating another well handicapped sort Pertemps Networks in the process. Although up 7lb, that may not be enough to stop him posting back to back victories and is selected. Pee Jay's Dream is another recent winner who showed real battling qualities to win at Thirsk. The additional furlong today is the least he needs and he might just be vulnerable against a quicker sort. Previous course winner Jafaru makes the long journey up from the Newmarket yard of Gerard Butler. He failed to take to hurdling but stayed on well at Leicester despite an awkward head carriage. Smugglers Bay has blinkers re-applied and is another worthy of consideration but Cotton Eyed Joe gets the vote.
Monolith 16-1 (9-1) Tracked winner, hampered 10f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 7, 46l behind Missoula (8-10) at York 2m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct.
Cotton Eyed Joe (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) Close up, led 2f out, hung left 1f out, driven clear, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr beating Pertemps Networks (8-11) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
First Look (FR) 17-2 (8-12) Held up mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3l behind St Savarin (9-13) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Oct.
Euro American (GER) 40-1 (9-7) Towards rear, headway on outer over 3f out, driven over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 9l behind Puy d'Arnac (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Apr.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 8-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway and every chance entering final furlong, soon one pace, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Pass The Port (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Mar.
Rare Coincidence 5-1 (11-9) Led after 3f, ridden and headed 5f out, weakened from 2f out, 7th of 12, 10l behind Blue Hills (11-4) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Pee Jay's Dream 11-4fav (8-7) Prominent, driven to lead well over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr beating Maneki Neko (8-7) by a nk, 15 ran.
Nero West (FR) 16-1 (9-1) Led and clear, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Pertemps Networks (8-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Apr.
Jafaru 14-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, edged right over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Smirfy's Silver (8-8) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Apr.
Dreams Jewel 15-2 (9-11) Soon tracking leader, ridden well over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 26l behind Dansilver (8-12) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr.
Thunderwing (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no impression, 4th of 11, 10l behind Pertemps Networks (8-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Apr.
Howards Dream (IRE) 100-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 4f out, virtually pulled up, last of 12, well behind Compton Dragon (9-3) at Hamilton 1m 4f app hcp (6) gd in Jun.
