tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, slightly hampered and soon beaten
in touch and keen, slightly checked over 3f out, chased clear leader over 1f out, ran on near finish
towards rear, ridden and brief effort 3f out
towards rear, ridden on inside and headway 2f out, soon chasing clear leaders and one pace
slowly away and looked reluctant to race, stayed on through beaten horses
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened
towards rear, effort and headway on outside 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, close up over 1f out, ridden and weakened quickly
led, headed 8f out, led again over 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, edged right near finish, just held on
towards rear, headway over 3f out, chasing clear leading pair and hung left final furlong
tracked leaders, led 8f out, ridden and weakened when headed over 3f out
Nonrunner
Sharmy has been going the right way of late, and can beat the day's largest field here, with Snake Hips, Hopeful Isabella and Marquee just a few lively rivals. Sharmy is now fully exposed, and so she should be at the age of 11, but Ian Williams seems to have her in good trim at present, judged on her last two efforts at Leicester, and more recently here ten-days ago, when second to Elopement. She lacked a change of gear that day but plugged on determinedly enough, and although without a win on the Flat since 2003, (her last success coming over fences three years ago), the old girl makes most appeal in an open handicap. Snake Hips belied his 33-1 starting price when third in a three-way photo at Leicester last time, the first-time blinkers no doubt helping. The aids are left on today, but our enthusiasm is tempered by the fact that he now tackles stronger company. Any support at all for Hopeful Isabella should be heeded as she bids to turn the tables on Marquee after the pair finished behind Jewelled Dagger on fast ground at Musselburgh. There may be the odd springer in the betting market as punters look to those that have past form on the ground, but we return to Sharmy as the answer.
Don Jose (USA) 33-1 (9-12) Held up and keen, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 19l behind Shevchenko (9-2) at Thirsk 7f mdn stk (5) gf.
Sharmy (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Pulled hard, held up in touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Elopement (8-13) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
Key Partners (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Prominent, not clear run on from over 3f out, no chance, 5th of 11, 7l behind Thorny Mandate (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Rawaabet (IRE) 7-2fav (8-2) Steaded start, took keen hold in rear, rapid headway to lead 6f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 28l behind Duelling Banjos (8-8) at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp (5) sft.
Snake Hips 33-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, effort and every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 12, nk behind Press Express (9-7) at Leicester 1m 2f sll (6) sft in May.
Marquee (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Jewelled Dagger (9-8) at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp (6) gf in May.
Hopeful Isabella (IRE) 11-2 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Jewelled Dagger (9-8) at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp (6) gf in May.
Master'n Commander (9-1) Held up, ridden 3f out, chased leaders and hung left over 2f out, no extra and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 3l behind King After (8-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
