prominent, ridden over 3f out, challenged over 1f out, ridden and soon led, kept on gamely under pressure close home
led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out and soon one pace
always behind
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced and no impression final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, hampered over 1f out, driven and kept on inside final furlong, just held
mid-division, ridden and headway from 3f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on gamely, just held
tracked leaders and keen early, ridden 3f out, soon one pace
always towards rear
held up, switched left and ridden 2f out, good headway inside final furlong, just held
It's a handicap that's poor on quality but rich in competitiveness that ends this card and with a weight for age allowance MANDALAY KING gets the vote to make it two wins on the bounce with Kargan and Angaric snapping and his heels. The selection seems pretty versatile in regards to the ground but does produce his best in quick conditions including last time out when taking an apprentice handicap in good style over this trip. He's up five pounds for that but given his allowance he is well treated. Kargan has run well with limited success in similar races on the polytrack on his last two trips to a racecourse but the assessor has done him no favours by raising his mark another four pounds, the ground is also an unknown factor with this one. Angaric was well beaten by the pick last time out but should be capable of running a strong race at a track he likes while course and distance winner Grand Diamond could also be involved in the prizes after some decent showings over timber. Not the easiest or best race to finish where our suggestion belongs to Mandalay King.
Angaric (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden along and headway 2f out, had every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Mandalay King (9-0) at Catterick 5f app hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Grand Diamond (IRE) 7-1 (8-2) Tracked leaders and keen, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong when not much room, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Bourse (8-4) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcap (4) sft in Nov.
Poppy's Rose 14-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden halfway, never on terms, 11th of 16, 8l behind Seneschal (9-1) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Apr.
Mandalay King (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) Mid-division, driven and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on, won at Catterick 5f app hcp (6) gf in Apr beating Conjecture (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Mr Lu 5-1 (8-4) Keen early, with leader, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 13, 36l behind Wovoka (8-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
Red Skipper (IRE) 11-2 (8-7) Raced far side, chased leader, ridden 2f out but weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 6l behind Casino Night (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 3yo app hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Kargan (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Behind mid-division, good headway 1f out, finished well on outside to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Ergo (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Maison Dieu 28-1 (8-1) Dwelt and hampered start, chased leaders over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Kipchak (9-1) at Redcar 7f hcp 0-70 (5) fm in Apr.
Baronovici (IRE) 28-1 (9-5) In touch, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 20, 4 1/2l behind El Dececy (9-5) at Redcar 7f sell stks (6) fm in Apr.
Wiseman's Diamond (USA) 40-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 16, 11l behind Lytton (8-8) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Optical Illusion (USA) 16-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, reminders half way, weakened over 1f, 8th of 14, 19l behind Blue Charm (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Just Sam (IRE) 40-1 (8-7) Soon close up, ridden over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 20, 1 3/4l behind El Dececy (9-5) at Redcar 7f sell stks (6) fm in Apr.
