tracked leaders and keen, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, led 2f out, soon ridden, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, hung right and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden and not much room over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
switched left start, outpaced towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, soon weakened
Musca gets the nomination ahead of Fabuleux Millie and Valley Of The Moon. Howard Johnson's progressive three-year-old ran well in defeat at York, the form of which looks solid given the good time recorded and those unexposed rivals. He should have come on for that effort and he has the good early pace to cope with this drop in trip. Fabuleux Millie has had a winter to strengthen up and the filly looks a live contender, with Neil Callan an eye-catching jockey booking. Lord Theo drops in trip which may not be a bad thing and he has the services of Hugh Bowman to rely on; expect an improved run from the horse. Mundo's Magic is consistent but lacks the class of some of these, whilst Valley Of The Moon has bumped into one too good on each of his last starts but this is no easier. King's Apostle is another for consideration now dropped in trip, however Musca has plenty of improvement to come and can win today.
Musca (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, edged right and kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Shmookh (8-4) at York 7f 3yo hcp (2) gd in May.
Lord Theo 16-1 (8-9) Led, pushed along 3f out, headed 2f out, outpaced final furlong, 6th of 7, 3 1/2l behind El Bosque (8-13) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf in May.
King's Apostle (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Held up behind leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 2f out, last of 15, 41l behind Docofthebay (8-11) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Fabuleux Millie (IRE) 15-2 (9-6) Went left start, mid-division, ridden and headway to chase leaders 3f out, ran on strongly to lead final strides, won at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sept beating Vadinka (9-2) by a nk, 10 ran.
Valley of The Moon (IRE) 9-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Aahayson (9-13) at Hamilton 6f 3yo hcp (3) gd in May.
Handsome Falcon 11-1 (8-13) Prominent, lost place 2f out, 8th of 11, 12l behind Makshoof (9-1) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Mundo's Magic 13-8fav (8-7) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Fish Called Johnny (8-4) at Ayr 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May.
Prince Rossi (IRE) 80-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 15l behind Darfour (8-9) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
