slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden, headway over 2f out, hard ridden inside last, led last strides
held up towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, outpaced, ridden, headway on outer 2f out, kept on
in touch, ridden over 1f out, one pace
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside last, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
in touch, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon hard ridden under pressure, headed last strides
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace
History shows that a traditionally good low draw isn't always advantageous and so with that in mind we will side with Paris Bell ahead of Maison Dieu, Brigadore and Franksalot. Those with a good low draw tend to go hell-for-leather early on in these big field handicaps which can play into the hands of those with a high draw and thus Paris Bell gets the nod. He doesn't tend to start too well and needs every yard of the trip to get on top. He is yet to race here at Ponte Carlo but the stiff finish should suit and he can come with a late burst to win. Brigadore has good course and distance form but handicaps himself with habitual slow starts. He, not unlike the selection, will need the gaps late on but he is now 5lbs below his highest winning mark so warrants respect. Front-runner Throw The Dice must be a danger from his low draw but tends to get collared late on, whilst Franksalot has disappointed since scoring at Beverley and Hamilton. He must be respected now back over six furlongs. Maison Dieu also drops back to six furlongs which looks a positive and Eric Alston's four-year-old may have more improvement to come. At a price, all-weather winner Minnow could go well but is unproven over this trip, and so we will return to Paris Bell as the selection.
Paris Bell 14-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, always behind, 10th of 11, 11l behind Trojan Flight (9-2) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Sir Orpen (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) In touch stands side, weakened over 2f out, 14th of 17, 17l behind Braddock (9-0) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in May.
Foreign Edition (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 10l behind Balakiref (9-1) at Leicester 6f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in May.
Brigadore 5-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Walnut Grove (8-4) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Franksalot (IRE) 15-2 (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Takitwo (8-12) at Brighton 7f hcap (5) gf.
Breaking Shadow (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, headway to chased leaders over 4f out, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 14, 19l behind Whitbarrow (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in May.
Riquewihr 12-1 (8-10) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 5th of 9, 5l behind Rainbow Bay (7-9) at Catterick 6f hcap (4) gf.
Charles Parnell (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Slowly away, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 6l behind Rainbow Bay (7-9) at Catterick 6f hcap (4) gf.
Maison Dieu 7-1 (9-2) Mid-division, driven and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 6th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Million Percent (9-0) at Catterick 7f hcap (6) gf in May.
It's Unbelievable (USA) 33-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 17l behind Dispol Isle (9-2) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Picture Frame 14-1 (8-6) Towards rear, outpaced halfway, kept on final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind Mandurah (8-5) at Haydock 5f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Minnow 7-4 (7-10) Keen, chased leader, ridden approaching final furlong, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Grange Lili (7-10) by 2l, 6 ran.
Turn Me On (IRE) 33-1 (7-13) Tracked leaders, headway when not much room 1f out, squeezed through to chase winner entering final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Million Percent (9-0) at Catterick 7f hcap (6) gf in May.
Snow Bunting 7-1 (8-1) Slowly into stride, behind, not clear run until entering final furlong, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3l behind Dispol Isle (8-9) at Musselburgh 7f hcap (5) gf in May.
Gilded Cove 13-2 (8-8) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased leading pair final furlong, always held, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Came Back (8-13) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Titinius (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Prominent for 4f stands side, last of 16, 33l behind Viva Volta (9-5) at Newcastle 7f hcap (5) gs.
Throw The Dice 9-2fav (9-0) Led and soon clear, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, gradually weakened, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Gunfighter (9-7) at Hamilton 6f hcap (5) gf.
