in touch, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, one pace
led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
close up, ridden over halfway, weakened over 1f out
in rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, soon edged right, ran on to lead close home
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
pushed along towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, caught close home
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
Making it onto the short list for the opener are Convince, Full Spate and, possibly, Rectangle, with the vote going to Convince. As a course winner from a four-pounds higher mark last season, Convince gets a good shout today with the extra furlong being something he can handle okay. Full Spate won over course and distance from a higher mark last August and a return to that type of form would make him an obvious player. Dorn Dancer has been running well of late and should give you a run for your money, while Blessed Place also comes here on the back of a good run, although is a horse that the handicapper seems reluctant to drop in the weights. Celtic Thunder got back to form with a good Beverley run last time and has to be considered, while Val de Maal's best efforts over the last few months make him one to give some thought to also. Finally, Rectangle looks well weighted if able to rediscover his form of a year ago, but Ms Chicaf has regressed from her much better form of 2004, and Gavioli is another that needs to spin the clock back 12 months. As we say, it is competitive, with the vote going to Convince.
Convince (USA) 7-2 (9-13) Mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 10th of 11, 7l behind Parkside Pursuit (9-5) at Warwick 5f hcp 0-70 (5) frm in Jun.
Full Spate 8-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, soon recovered into mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 15, 7l behind Linda Green (9-5) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Blessed Place 6-1 (8-11) Led, ridden when headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Louphole (9-5) at Bath 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Alexia Rose (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened and eased well over 1f out, last of 17, well behind Piccolo Prince (8-6) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-65 (6) hvy in Apr.
Celtic Thunder 11-1 (9-5) Dwelt, behind, headway and switched left over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Kings College Boy (9-11) at Beverley 5f hcap (6) gf in Jun.
Val de Maal (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Slowly into stride, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance when not much room well inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 13, 3/4l behind Joyeaux (10-0) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Dunn Deal (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Towards rear and keen, never nearer, 9th of 10, 16l behind Stamford Blue (8-9) at Chepstow 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Jun.
Dorn Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Prominent stands' side, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 19, 4l behind Blue Tomato (9-8) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
