A handicap confined to apprentices to round off the card and Compton Charlie is selected to land it where Blue Hills, Opera Writer and Sol Rojo are others that have form, worthy of making them contenders to land this open handicap. Compton Charlie was a winner off 52 on his penultimate outing in a similar contest to today but failed to follow up at Beverley last time in what appeared a hotter contest. He does have a tendency to hang when coming under pressure but in a poor contest he is one of a number who could land this. Blue Hills is not as effective on the turf as artificial surfaces and therefore he appears well-handicapped at first glance. He does perform creditably enough though to suggest a weak turf handicap could come his way and William Carson is certainly a positive to have onboard. Opera Writer has taken a slide back down the ratings for been harshly raised 8lb for winning a Wolverhampton handicap during the winter while Sol Rojo was noted staying on well at Doncaster last time. At bigger prices Spellman is an unexposed sort who could surprise a few while General Flumpa would have a chance if returning to his best form for a capable handler, who does very well with her small string. The winner will not be easy to find but we will give the vote to Compton Charlie.
Blue Hills 4-1fav (8-10) Chased leaders, led over 3f out, headed approaching final furlong, soon one pace, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Colonel Flay (8-11) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Sol Rojo 9-1 (8-6) Towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind Amanda Carter (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp (5) gf.
Opera Writer (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Chased leader 2f, in touch after, ridden over 4f out, weakened approaching 2f out, 5th of 8, 16l behind Wind Flow (9-5) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Trysting Grove (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Mid-division and keen, headway over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Hatton Flight (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
L'Oiseau de Feu (USA) 50-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, effort 3f out, weakened final 2f, 7th of 16, 6l behind Princelywallywogan (8-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
General Flumpa 18-1 (8-5) Led after 1f, clear with winner, wandered 6f out, reduced lead over 4f out, headed 3f out, weakened quickly, 9th of 11, 31l behind Dove Cottage (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Icansingarainbow 16-1 (8-7) Took keen hold, tracked leader after 1f until 5f out, lost place 4f out, tailed off, last of 9, 46l behind Synonymy (8-9) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Compton Charlie 3-1fav (9-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Wulimaster (9-6) at Beverley 1m 4f stk 0-55 (6) gd.
Camera Shy (IRE) 80-1 (10-0) Always in rear, 7th of 8, 34l behind Irish Artist (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Mar.
Reddy Ronnie (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 9th of 11, 12l behind Pivotal Truth (8-12) at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Sept.
Prince Rossi (IRE) 66-1 (8-7) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 16, 10l behind Top Seed (8-9) at Bath 1m 2f hcp (6) gs in Apr.
Robbie Can Can 14-1 (8-4) Steadied start, settled towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no progress, 8th of 11, 12l behind Susie May (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
King's Account (USA) 20-1 (8-4) Prominent for 2f, last of 14, 39l behind Ermine Grey (8-2) at Chepstow 1m hcap (6) gd.
Spellman 18-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 15, 27l behind Cavendish (8-8) at Yarmouth 1m 6f hcp (6) gd in Apr.
Surdoue 14-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, headed and weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong, last of 14, 15l behind Dinner Date (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Nov.
Plain Champagne (IRE) 12-1 (9-12) Started slowly, in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 9th of 14, 14l behind Ganymede (9-11) at Kempton 2m banded stk (7) pol in Oct '06.
Drombeg Pride (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Mid-division, no impression under pressure straight, 11th of 16, 28l behind Solar Sail (8-13) at Tralee 1m 3yo hcp 0-60 hvy in Aug.
Viscount Rossini 14-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders to over 2f out, weakened, soon behind, 8th of 11, 9l behind Terminate (8-11) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
