led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong
always behind
behind, until some moderate headway final furlong
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 7f out to 2f out, kept on same pace after
never better than mid-division
tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed near finish
mid-division, steady headway from 4f out, challenged on outer 2f out, stayed on to lead near finish
in touch until weakened 4f out
mid-division, ridden and stayed on same pace final 2f
always behind
Nonrunner
Shortlisted here are Iamback, Lysander's Quest, Mr Whizz, Lazzaz, Tintawn Gold and Nina Fontenail, but the overall nod goes to Icannshift. Icannshift has proven over the last 12 months that he is capable of running well from a slightly higher mark, so that has to bring him into things in this modest race, while what you see is what you get with place candidates Lazzaz and Mr Whizz. Best Desert is untried at today's trip, but Iamback seemed to improve for it when winning over course and distance two runs ago. If that can believed, then she must be granted some consideration. Forever My Lord has a pretty good wins-to-runs ratio on Turf, but he hasn't score since 2003, although a repeat of that year's form gives him decent claims. Lysander's Quest has also won over course and distance and holds place claims. Given that Nina Fontenail is due to go up by two pounds following a good Bath run on June 5th, she has to be considered, even though she is still a maiden, while Tintawn Gold is weighted to get the better of Lysander's Quest based on course and distance form of last September, so that affords her some thought. With Court Alliance failing to build on his Newbury win of 2003, and the others looking beatable, including the course and distance winner Humdinger who has a bit to prove overall based on most of her recent runs, we return to the selection, which is Icannshift.
Lazzaz 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, led halfway, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Next Flight (8-11) at Hamilton 1m 5f app hcp (6) gs.
Icannshift (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (8-10) Led for over 1f, led again over 4f out to over 3f out, still every chance 1f out, weakened rapidly final half furlong, 4th of 11, 7l behind Ulshaw (8-5) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Best Desert (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Prominent until weakened 2f out, 15th of 18, 13l behind Cayman Breeze (9-8) at Brighton 7f hcp (6) frm.
Mr Whizz 15-2 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 9th of 19, 9l behind Lyrical Way (9-11) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in May.
Iamback 10-1 (8-5) Raced keenly, held up towards rear when stumbled 4f out and unseated rider in race won by Next Flight (8-11) at Hamilton 1m 5f app hcp (6) gs, 14 ran.
Forever My Lord 14-1 (10-0) In touch until weakened over 2f out, 5th of 13, 8l behind Joey Perhaps (10-2) at Bath 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (6) frm.
Lysander's Quest (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Held up and behind, headway over 5f out, took closer order 3f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Frontlinefinancier (9-2) at Bath 2m 1f hcp (6) gf.
Nina Fontenail (FR) 12-1 (8-8) Always prominent, headway to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 17, 5l behind Cirrious (9-1) at Bath 1m 4f hcp (6) gf.
Kiev (IRE) 25-1 (8-5) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on to take moderate 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Blackmail (8-11) at Brighton 1m 4f clm (6) gf.
Tintawn Gold (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Held up behind, headway 3f out, in touch, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out, 6th of 13, 13l behind Halcyon Magic (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (7) pol in May.
Humdinger (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest at finish, 5th of 14, 5l behind Star Welcome (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 2f app hcp (6) gs.
Court Alliance 8-1 (8-4) Held up in mid-division, effort under pressure 3f out, no impression final 2f, 9th of 14, 6l behind Iamback (8-1) at Folkestone 1m 4f hcp (6) gf.
Komati River 50-1 (8-0) Soon prominent, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 12th of 13, 31l behind Ocean Avenue (9-10) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (D) gf in May '04.