slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden well over 2f out, some headway over 1f out, no impression
soon led, ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, headawy 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside furlong, nearest finish
led early, chased winner, ridden well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up, ridden well over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on
behind, ridden over 2f out, some headway over 1f out, no impression
took keen hold, soon steady towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders early, psuhed along and lost place over 4f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Malcheek has plenty of scope and can get the better of Alsharq, with Arnprior, Guadaloup and Turks Wood all making for a close-knit finale. Malcheek still looked a big baby when making a promising debut to be fourth at York last summer, so was put away to strengthen up and did not see the track again until stepping out over the course and distance just under three weeks ago. He caused something of a surprise in beating a couple of well-fancied southern raiders that day, making all of the running under David Allan, and although having to give weight to all bar one of his opponents on his handicap bow, Tim Easterby's charge can crack out and dominate again. Obviously he will not have things all his own way against more experienced rivals, but has the scope to progress past them. Alsharq burst through to beat moderate rivals at Brighton recently, but the ground was very fast that day and she will not have things all her own way here. Mark Johnston won this 12 months ago with Snap and now relies on Arnprior who was noted hanging under pressure on her handicap debut at Carlisle. Guadaloup proved that she stay the trip when second over the course and distance last month and is yet another that makes her handicap debut, while Turks Wood has plenty of experience at this level but would prefer faster ground. Malcheek is taken to make up for lost time.
Malcheek (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Made all, driven clear 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, won at Thirsk 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf beating Algharb (9-0) by 1l, 10 ran.
Turks Wood (IRE) 6-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Sea Hunter (9-5) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Tanforan 8-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, 14th of 15, 11l behind Benedict (9-5) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Alsharq (IRE) 17-2 (8-8) Held up, ridden 3f out, headway to lead over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Brighton 7f 3yo stk 0-65 (5) gf beating Dudley Docker (8-4) by 2l, 11 ran.
Guadaloup 12-1 (8-6) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Alpine Reel (9-11) at Thirsk 7f mdn stk (5) gd in May.
Arnprior (USA) 7-1 (9-1) Led 1f, tracked leaders, led again over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Whitethorne (8-3) at Carlisle 7f 3yo fll hcp (5) gs.
Onyergo (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Held up, headway when hampered over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out, 5th of 9, 11l behind Trivandrun (8-7) at Musselburgh 1m mdn stk (5) gd in May.
Second Reef 12-1 (8-7) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 10l behind Intrepid Jack (9-3) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
