chased leaders, raced wide entering home straight, soon lost pace, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
mid-division, headway on inside 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on, held on towards finish
behind, hampered over 3f out, driven and headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace final furlong
soon behind, switched outside and some headway 2f out, soon ridden, never able to challenge
with leaders, ridden, effort over 1f out, faded final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, always behind
in rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
chased leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
with leaders, lost pace over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
towards rear, edged right over 3f out, headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner 1f out, hung left, held towards finish
dwelt, behind, never dangerous
never better than mid-division
Tony The Tap ran well last time and is selected to get the better of King Harson, Stoic Leader and Wistman to name but three potential dangers. This should really concern those at the top of the handicap, and the one we like is Neville Callaghan's four-year-old Tony The Tap, a close fourth in an ultra-competitive handicap at Newmarket on his reappearance. He again showed up well when not beaten far under Frankie Dettori on a return to headquarters a fortnight ago, and as he does tend to come from off the pace, the step up to seven furlongs today should suit. Hayley Turner is back in the plate and he can make a bold bid to go one better. King Harson will have his supporters despite topweight after his clear-cut Thirsk victory, but that was on softer ground and he was allowed to dominate that day. Stoic Leader is a tough little horse who lines up chasing a hat-trick, but the drop back in trip and rise in the weights will not help his cause. Dandy Nicholls has three chances here with Selective, Royal Dignitary and Wistman, and of the trio the latter is preferred, as this ex-David Loder inmate could be open to tons of improvement. Bryan Smart has hit a bit of form so it would be no surprise to to see Redwood Rocks go well at a big price, while Master Robbie and Tough Love both hail from stables flying at present. It should be a cracker and one in which Tony The Tap is taken to come fast and late to land the spoils.
King Harson 8-1 (9-8) Made virtually, ridden over 1f out, soon clear, ran on well, won at Thirsk 7f hcp (4) gs in Apr beating Snap (9-4) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Tony The Tap 85-40fav (9-0) Slowly into stride and behind, headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Who's Winning (8-12) at Newmarket 6f hcp (3) gd.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, led close home, won at Redcar 1m hcp (4) gf beating Little Jimbob (9-2) by a nk, 12 ran.
Selective 6-1 (8-12) In touch when hampered after 100 yards, settled in mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 10l behind Ballast (9-4) at Thirsk 1m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Flying Bantam (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Held up, always towards rear, 8th of 12, 4l behind Mr Malarkey (8-12) at Thirsk 6f hcp (3) gf.
Master Robbie 12-1 (9-3) Towards rear, pushed along 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 12, 3l behind Mr Malarkey (8-12) at Thirsk 6f hcp (3) gf.
Wistman (UAE) 9-4jt-fav (8-11) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Imperialistic (9-7) at Beverley 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (C) gs in Apr '04.
Kirkby's Treasure 5-1 (9-6) Always towards rear and struggling, eased over 1f out, last of 14, 23l behind Little Jimbob (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (4) gf in Apr.
