steadied start, held up in last pair, hanging left from over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hung left and kept on same pace in 4th inside final furlong
chased leading pair until over 3f out, soon lost place and behind
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leading trio, went 3rd over 3f out, effort between horses to lead over 1f out, ridden and hung left briefly inside final furlong, soon straightened and in command
steadied start, held up in last trio, headway under pressure 2f out, went 3rd final inside furlong, kept on in closing stages, almost snatched 2nd
started slowly, always behind
Rock Steady ended last year winning on his handicap debut at Wolverhampton and is 6lb higher for his return. Medburn Dream found a 9lb rise beyond him attempting to land a four-timer but drops back down in class today. Ripon maiden winner House Of Commons goes handicapping for the first time but Philadelphia came up short on his handicap bow at Newmarket. Skeaping was placed off a higher mark over 1m2f here last month but SIR RODERIC went close over today’s trip at Leicester on his latest start and Rod Millman’s charge gets the vote to return to winning ways.
Ballard Down (IRE) 5-2fav (9-7) In rear, outpaced 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Dommersen (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in May.
House Of Commons (IRE) 4-6fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, challenged going well 2f out, soon led, just nudged out inside final furlong, won at Ripon 1m mdn stks (5) gd in Jun beating Imperial Focus (9-5) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Medburn Dream 15-2 (8-7) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, chased leaders, ridden and edging left when weakened over 1f out, 9th of 15, 18 1/2l behind Gawdawpalin (8-0) at Epsom 1m 2f hcp stks (2) gs in Jun.
Skeaping 3-1 (9-4) Led after 1f, ridden when challenged over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Talent To Amuse (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 3f mdn stks (5) sft in Jun.
Sir Roderic (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden 2f out, effort inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Dubai's Secret (9-6) at Leicester 1m hcp (4) gd in May.
Rock Steady (IRE) 15-8fav (9-4) In touch, headway over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f (5) pol in Oct beating Be Kool (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Willsy 33-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Destroyer (8-7) at Sandown 7f hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Philadelphia (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Awkwardly away keen in rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms, 9th of 12, 9 3/4l behind Oh This Is Us (9-1) at Newmarket 1m hcp (4) gf in May.
