tracked leaders, dropped to rear and outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
close up 2nd, ridden over 2f out, not pace to challenge and no impression over 1f out
settled last in touch, ridden to take 3rd over 2f out, kept on final furlong, no chance with winner
made all, raced keenly, led, shaken up over 1f out, reminder inside final furlong, ran on well, unchallenged, pushed out
Imperial Skylight finally opened his account at the 18th time of asking when landing a Kempton handicap earlier this month but a 3lb rise for that success makes life tougher for Mick Channon's gelding and a better bet looks to be the progressive ITSHIM, who gets the vote with Give Us A Song rated the best of the rest. The selection has shown much improved form this year for Stuart Williams, winning his last two starts over five furlongs with the minimum of fuss, and there seems no reason why he cannot continue winning ways stepped up to seven furlongs today. Kamanja is less exposed than her rivals after just three runs but seems plenty high enough in the weights for what she has achieved so far. Joannadarc has been dropped 5lbs since making his handicap debut two starts ago but probably needs further help from the handicapper, while Stan Moore's River Rye has had plenty of chances in this grade and seems best watched. Wolverhampton maiden auction winner Give Us A Song struggled back in a handicap here last time and is hard to back with confidence following that outing in a race taken to go to Itshim.
Give Us A Song (USA) 12-1 (8-4) Raced keenly, held up behind, in touch, ridden 2f out, not troubled leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 6th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Markyg (9-7) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (4) std.
Imperial Skylight 4-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 2f out, quicken to lead final 100 yards, stayed on towards finish, held on well, won at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol beating Edgeworth (9-5) by a nk, 7 ran.
Kamanja (UAE) 13-8fav (8-12) Went badly left start, led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, lost 2nd when no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Premier Lad (9-3) at Southwell 6f 3yo mdn (5) fbs.
Itshim 5-4fav (8-4) Made all, cleared 2f out, eased heavily inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 5f 3yo hcp (6) pol beating Sills Vincero (9-4) by 4l, 7 ran.
Joannadarc (USA) 8-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ran wide and lost 4 places bend entering final 2f, soon ridden and stayed on to regain 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Set The Trend (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
River Rye (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead entering final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Sarasota Sunshine (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (6) pol.
