mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
slow away, always towards rear
led, headed 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out
always towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never trouble leaders
in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, led well inside final furlong, driven out
held up towards rear, headway on outer over 3f out, stayed on one pace approaching final furlong, no impression
There are plenty in with chances in a decent handicap with Fortunate Isle a tentative choice to run a big race at a big price; San Antonio, El Coto and Nero's Return are rated as the main dangers. Fortunate Isle was second behind Rob Roy on his racecourse debut before winning a fast-ground Newbury maiden last May. He has not been seen since but could be well handicapped on the form he has shown as a maiden. He is a son of Swain and any market-support would be interesting. El Coto has contested some top handicap races and exploited a decent handicap mark when winning at Doncaster last May. He has only gone up two-pound for that win and if he comes here fit he will rate as the main danger to our selection. Nero's Return and Joe Fanning won this race last year off a one-pound higher mark and he will be fit following his recent run in the Lincoln, he is not without a chance. But in a competitive handicap we will take a chance on Fortunate Isle at a potentially big price.
El Coto 13-2 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden halfway, headway over 2f out, ran on to lead last strides, won at Doncaster 7f hcp (2) gf in May beating Compton's Eleven (9-9) by a hd, 13 ran.
Primus Inter Pares (IRE) 100-1 (8-7) Always in rear division, 24th of 30, 36l behind Blythe Knight (8-10) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) sft in Mar.
King's Thought 16-1 (9-2) Led, headed over 3f out, weakened rapidly, eased when no chance over 1f out, last of 6, well behind Etesaal (9-7) at Epsom 1m 2f stk (3) gd in Aug.
Blue Spinnaker (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Towards rear, some late headway, never near to challenge, 13th of 30, 19l behind Blythe Knight (8-10) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) sft in Mar.
Focus Group (USA) 16-1 (8-4) Held up in touch, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sept beating Notnowcato (8-12) by a nk, 18 ran.
Nero's Return (IRE) 50-1 (8-3) Towards rear, never dangerous, 16th of 30, 21l behind Blythe Knight (8-10) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) sft in Mar.
Thunderwing (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) In touch far side, ridden 2f out, chased winner final furlong, 2nd of 22, 11l behind Cardinal Venture (8-10) at Doncaster 7f app hcp (4) sft in Nov.
San Antonio 7-2 (8-10) Led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4l behind Something (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Wigwam Willie (IRE) 13-2jt-fav (8-9) Mid-division far side, effort over 2f out, no impression, 15th of 22, 29l behind Cardinal Venture (8-10) at Doncaster 7f app hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Fortunate Isle (USA) 5-4fav (9-0) Went left start, made all, pressed and hard driven inside final furlong, just held on, all out, won at Newbury 1m 3yo mdn (5) frm in May beating Bahar Shumaal (9-0) by a shd, 8 ran.
Freeloader (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, effort 2f out, every chance until ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 22, 18l behind Mezuzah (8-5) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) sft in Mar.
Byron Bay 17-2 (9-0) Made virtually all, soon clear, ridden over 1f out, unchallenged, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar beating Lincolneurocruiser (8-2) by 2l, 11 ran.
