led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, soon headed, no extra and faded inside final furlong
steadied start, settled in rear, good headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on to chase leading pair near finish
steady start, in rear, ridden 3f out, never a factor
took keen hold, close up, pressed leaders over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, ridden out
tracked leaders to over 2f out, soon ridden, no extra and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, good headway to lead over 1f out, headed and lost 2 places inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, just outpaced by winner
held up in mid-division, headway 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon outpaced
Nonrunner
Life doesn't get any easier in division two but this time we'll go down the obvious road and select HIGHLAND RIVER. Statute Book and Hawkspring are amongst others worthy of our attention. It can sometimes be a worry to see a couple of seconds nestling alongside the horse's name in the formcard but Highland River hasn't done an awful lot wrong in defeat the last twice. He's been raised by 2lbs for each effort but should still be able to win an ordinary heat and this race is such a contest. Statute Book has improved with each start and has sound claims of reversing last month's form with Swiss Art assuming that the Harris runner doesn't improve for the application of cheekpieces. Hawkspring made the most of the drop into selling company at Southwell but steps back up in class on his first start for new connections. He didn't appear to be entirely straightforward there and may be best watched. Impressionist Art appeals as a likely type to improve now handicapping and the market may guide to her chances and those of the other unexposed runners in the field but Highland River appeals as the safe option.
Impressionist Art (USA) 66-1 (8-10) Chased leaders on stands' side for 3f, 24th of 28, 23l behind Penny's Gift (8-6) at Ascot 6f 2yo aut (2) gd in Sept.
Swiss Art (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway 2f out, kept on final furlong, not troubled leaders, 4th of 10, 5l behind Wee Giant (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol.
Lujeanie 4-1 (9-1) Held up in mid-division, ridden and outpaced halfway, stayed on approaching final furlong, 4th of 9, 3l behind Top Flight Splash (8-5) at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp (6) fbs.
Amazing Blue Sky 50-1 (9-0) Always behind, 11th of 13, 11l behind Baariq (9-0) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Highland River 9-2fav (9-5) Mid-division, pulled hard early, headway over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Roar of Applause (9-7) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp (6) pol.
Hawkspring (IRE) 7-4fav (8-11) Raced wide, held up in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and all out, won at Southwell 1m 2yo sll (6) fbs beating Svindal (8-11) by 1l, 9 ran.
Imperial Skylight 7-1 (8-9) In touch on outside, ridden and hung left from over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Deckchair (8-2) at W'hampton 6f 2yo clm (5) pol.
Artesium 7-1 (9-0) Went left start, soon mid division, effort on inside 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on to press for 2nd, never any chance with easy winner, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Chicken Momo (9-0) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Transfered (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Hollow Green (8-0) at Leicester 7f 2yo sll (6) hvy in Sept.
Daily Planet (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, kept on, never nearer, 5th of 9, 11l behind Kladester (9-3) at Southwell 7f 2yo hcp (5) fbs.
Merry May 80-1 (8-9) In touch, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 11l behind Retro (9-3) at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Oct.
Statute Book (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Held up, outpaced 3f out, headway 2f out, took 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Smalljohn (9-2) at W'hampton 7f 2yo sll (6) pol.
