towards rear, weakened over 2f out
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up, headway 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead towards finish
tracked leaders, raced wide over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed towards finish
tracked leaders, hung left over 2f out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out
It could pay to take a chance here with ISLAND CHIEF who is taken to get the better of Legal Legacy and Liberty Trail. The selection won over this course and distance last time when he beat Liberty Trail. He has ground conditions to suit again here, he also has a good draw and he still looks to be on a fair mark. Liberty Trail re-opposes and although he will need to improve to reverse the form, that is entirely feasible as he was making his handicap debut last time and he remains unexposed. Legal Legacy actually beat our selection here last month and they meet again on identical terms, but there was little between them that day and Island Chief has since been out and won so we know he is in great heart and he may well have improved since. John Quinn has enjoyed a good start to the season so Northern Flyer is worth consideration for each-way punters from a good high draw, although the quick ground could be against him. There are no such worries for Island Chief who just edges our vote in a tight contest.
Liberty Trail (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Led, ridden over 1f out, kept on until headed, no extra near finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Island Chief (8-10) at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Where's Reiley (USA) 6-1 (8-12) With leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra near finish, 2nd of 12, shd behind Minturno (8-9) at Redcar 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Legal Legacy 3-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, good headway final furlong to lead close home, won at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May beating Island Chief (8-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Island Chief 11-2 (8-10) Raced keenly, in touch, headway to go 2nd well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong to lead near finish, won at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May beating Liberty Trail (9-5) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Imperial Skylight 20-1 (8-13) In touch, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 18, 5l behind Cheap Thrills (9-5) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Northern Flyer (GER) 20-1 (8-5) In touch, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 17, 4l behind Just Five (8-12) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) sft in May.
Quick Gourmet 80-1 (8-3) Held up, edged left over 2f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 13l behind Hillview Boy (9-13) at Hamilton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) gd in May.
Dance Society 16-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 10l behind Go Alone (9-3) at Redcar 6f 3yo mdn aut (5) gf in May.
Dalrymple (IRE) 7-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 6l behind Rose Of Coma (8-2) at Leicester 1m 2f sell stks (6) gf in May.
April Lady (IRE) 33-1 (8-2) Towards rear and outpaced, last of 7, 9l behind Dispol Grand (9-4) at Ayr 5f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
