keen raced wide in rear, ridden 2f out, headway entering final furlong, ran on to lead final strides
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, pushed along and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
in touch, headway 2f out, effort between horses approaching final furlong, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed final strides
awkwardly away held up, pushed along 2f out, not trouble leaders
keen in touch, headway on outer when saddle slipped 3f out, hung right and ran very wide into straight 2f out, soon beaten
held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
close up, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt hung right throughout, raced wide tracked leaders, weakened 2f out, soon eased, tailed off
rider removed hood late and slowly away, always in rear
Showdance Kid won this off a higher mark last year but finished behind the runner-up Rockesbury over track and trip in April and the latter has ran well back here subsequently. MAGICAL MOLLY JOE has also been in fine form at the track and bids for a course and distance hat-trick raised 4lb. David Barron’s mare won a shade more cosily than the winning margin suggests last time and gets the nod. Calin's Lad went close on last year’s handicap debut and has switched to Mick Appleby’s yard since while Ventriloquist was beaten only a nose at Lingfield in December but hasn’t had much to say for himself subsequently.
Al Ozzdi 10-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 11, 29l behind Gabrial The Tiger (9-4) at Beverley 7f hcp (5) gs in May.
Rockesbury 11-2 (9-7) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to challenge and every chance when edged left over 1f out, outpaced inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Little Miss Daisy (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in May.
Tavener 9-2 (9-9) Broke well, soon steadied to chase leaders, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Hic Bibi (9-6) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Gold Flash 6-1 (9-7) Mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, never dangerous, last of 9, 15 3/4l behind Lucky Lodge (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Calin's Lad 8-1 (8-10) Steadied start, held up, headway on inside approaching final furlong, ran on, never reached winner, 3rd of 11, 1/4l behind Turanga Leela (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Ventriloquist 7-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, lost touch inside final 2f, never a threat, last of 4, 10l behind Los Camachos (10-0) at Lingfield 7f stks (6) pol in Feb.
Magical Molly Joe 5-1 (9-5) Behind, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on to lead close home, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp (6) pol in May beating Just An Idea (9-3) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Champagne Bob 10-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, some headway final furlong, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 6 3/4l behind Major Valentine (9-4) at Chepstow 6f hcp (5) gf in May.
Masquerade Bling (IRE) 20-1 (10-4) Close up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 18, 11 1/2l behind Fieldsman (10-7) at Salisbury 7f hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Mabo 33-1 (8-10) Always in rear, 10th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Major Valentine (9-4) at Chepstow 6f hcp (5) gf in May.
Fitzrovia 66-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Tashaaboh (9-2) at Kempton 6f stks (5) pol in Oct.
Showdance Kid 10-1 (9-12) Held up in touch, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 7th of 12, 4 1/4l behind Diva Star (10-0) at Yarmouth 7f hcp (6) gd in May.
