in touch and keen, weakened over 1f out
chased leader, ridden to challenge 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders and fought hard, not much room over 2f out, soon hung right, no impression final furlong
in rear, headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, kept on well
slowly into stride, behind, stumbled badly over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, tracked leaders half way, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong
held up mid-division, headway to lead over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, one pace
The form of HARD LUCK STORY stands out from the rest and he gets the nod here while we expect Bandana Man and Dark Oasis to chase him home. The selection was in great from last year and has looked progressive since returning to action in early April. His best performances have come over a mile and although the gelding is yet to win, he looks capable of breaking his duck here. Alan Swinbank has his string in good form of late and Bandana Man can figure here. The gelding looked to have a promising future after an impressive debut last year butfailed to follow up on that promise however and showed very little on his return to action on the all weather last time out. He should have a much simpler task here today and in a race of this quality he should be thereabouts at the finish. Dark Oasis looked capable of more when finishing runner up in a handicap back in February. He has placed seventh at the last two attempts over slightly longer trip. This step down to a mile looks to be in his favour.
Chimbonda 10-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden along halfway, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Compton Ford (9-4) at Catterick 5f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Dark Oasis 9-1 (8-12) Mid-division, effort over 3f out, no impression, 7th of 13, 11l behind Topolski (9-4) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Hard Luck Story 9-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden along over 4f out, soon beaten, last of 3, 32l behind Too Much Trouble (9-4) at Catterick 1m 3f 3yo stk (3) gf in Apr.
Teddy West (IRE) 18-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, hung left over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 9, 9l behind Masterofceremonies (9-10) at Musselburgh 1m 1f sell stks (6) gf in Apr.
Blessing Belle (IRE) 150-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 11th of 12, 19l behind Bombina (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn fll stks (5) gd in Oct.
Desdamona (IRE) 150-1 (8-8) Towards rear, soon pushed along, struggling from 3f out, 5th of 7, 24l behind Distant Memories (9-3) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (5) hvy in Nov.
Knock Three Times (IRE) 66-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, driven over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind Full Of Love (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 3yo fll stks (5) gf in Apr.
Paint Splash 7-2fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous, 9th of 10, 8l behind Kings Ace (9-1) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Apr.
Bandanaman (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Always in rear, ridden and struggling 3f out, 10th of 11, 18l behind Mirrored (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
Patronne 16-1 (8-11) Always behind, 10th of 11, 42l behind Statute Book (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Feb.
Miss Cracklinrosie 20-1 (8-5) Prominent until weakened over 2f out, 13th of 14, 25l behind More Than Many (8-9) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
