in touch, lead approaching final furlong, pushed out
chased leader until over 1f out, weakened
slowly into stride, soon close up, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up in rear, never nearer
in rear, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
pulled hard, close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, never troubled leaders
led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
The unexposed Hornpipe would be an apt winner to round off the card before Lucie Silvas struts her stuff for the Newmarket Nights crowd. Folga, who is turned out quickly after a fair effort at Carlisle on Wednesday, and Born For Dancing, who will be better suited by the faster conditions, are expected to provide the sternest challenges. Born For Dancing had excuses on account of the ground for her below par effort on her reappearance. However, she should have benefited from the run and will strip a lot fitter today. Watch the market where the Barry Hills-trained filly is concerned. Folga is proving to be game and consistent this term and deserves a change of fortune after a couple of near misses of late. Still, she has been running as if the handicapper has her measure and is vulnerable to an improving type. Which is where we turn to Hornpipe, who was far from disgraced in finishing just over three lengths adrift of subsequent Listed race-winner Nota Bene when he was last seen out. Sir Michael Stoute has done well with similarly lightly raced types in the last few weeks and looks to have another solid chance with Hornpipe in tonight's finale.
Hornpipe 5-1 (8-8) Held up in touch, effort over 1f out, soon one pace, 5th of 11, 4l behind Nota Bene (9-1) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Spree (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (8-6) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Bond City (9-5) at Newmarket 5f 3yo hcp (2) gf.
Folga 11-4fav (9-3) In touch, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Why Now (8-9) at Carlisle 5f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Talcen Gwyn (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway halfway, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 9, 10l behind Bird Over (9-7) at Epsom 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Anfield Dream 7-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 22l behind Peopleton Brook (8-6) at Sandown 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Born For Dancing (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Bolted for 3f to post, led to 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 8l behind Sweet Namibia (8-9) at Folkestone 5f 3yo mdn (5) sft in May.
Stephanie's Mind 12-1 (9-2) Always behind, 11th of 15, 9l behind Orpen Wide (9-0) at Newmarket 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Canadian Danehill (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) With leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 10l behind Sea Hunter (9-5) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf.