always in rear
slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, headway on rails over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, just held
chased leaders, driven 2f out, no extra inside inside furlong
held up towards rear, headway and switched left 2f out, soon driven, stayed on under pressure to lead final 75 yards
(wore net muzzle) made most, hung badly left from over 1f out, headed final 75 yards, lost 2 places near finish
chased leaders over 4f
always rear
chased leaders on outside, ridden halfway, weakened 3f out
slowly into stride and always behind
in touch, weakened over 2f out, soon eased when no chance
in touch, hung left from 3f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
chased leaders over 4f
slowly away and always in rear
behind, ridden and moderate headway final 2f
chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders over 3f
prominent on rails, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, and weakened over 1f out
A difficult finale to get out on and off a shortlist that includes Inquisitress, Poppy's Rose and Blue Monkey we go for Poppy's Rose. The selection won well at Pontefract over six furlongs and while it is always dangerous to back horses when transferring winning form into handicaps, she showed plenty in a poor race and her mark of 62 does not look to be unduly harsh. Inquisitress has proved expensive to follow but ran better than her bare form suggests at Brighton. Blue Monkey found a very weak maiden at Southwell to his liking and scored as the money indicated. Cavalry Guard burnt the fingers of short price players at Redcar last season and does not appeal as a particularly hearty finisher. Hucking Heat seems to reserve his best for the all-weather while Realy Naughty, who finished behind John Best's inmate, is likely to plugging on when others have cried enough. Whipcord is perfectly exposed although she shouldn't be written off in a wide open race. Tenancy looks likely to be up there from the gate and backers will be hoping for a soft lead. A wide open race with many chances and Poppy's Rose is where the pin lands.
Hucking Heat (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, headway under pressure on outside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 6l behind Rudry Dragon (9-2) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Cavalry Guard (USA) 6-1 (8-11) Held up, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 5th of 12, 5l behind Seleet (8-11) at Beverley 1m mdn stk (5) gf in Apr.
Blue Monkey (IRE) 4-6fav (8-13) Held up, pushed along 4f out, headway 2f out, led approaching final furlong, pushed out, won at Southwell 7f mdn aut stk (6) fbs in Apr beating Very Well Red (9-7) by 3l, 8 ran.
Jack Oliver 14-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 4l behind Supa Sal (9-1) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Tenancy (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Tetouan (9-3) at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Realy Naughty (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Held up, switched left over 1f out, good headway final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 14, 3l behind Nordic Light (8-11) at Folkestone 6f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Poppy's Rose 14-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Pontefract 6f 3yo mdn fll (5) gd in Apr beating Princess Ellis (9-0) by a nk, 9 ran.
Whipchord (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Raced wide in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Blue Bamboo (8-13) at Lingfield 7f 3yo fll hcp 0-100 (5) pol in Apr.
