chased leader, joined leader 3f out, soon ridden, every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden 3f out, kept on well final furlong
held up outside, chased leader 3f out, ridden to lead 2f out, driven clear final furlong
slowly into stride, soon recovered to chase leader, ridden to lead briefly 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden and effort 3f out, every chance 2f out, kept on final furlong
never better than mid-division, behind final furlong
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out
soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
An intriguing contest in which My Love Thomas, Cha Cha Cha and Telltime make up the shortlist, with the nomination going to Kevin Ryan's Cha Cha Cha. A winner on debut at Pontefract, the selection was then only beaten one-and-a-half lengths next time up in handicap company. He was outpaced on that occasion and now stepping back up in trip, he looks worth siding with. My Love Thomas's mark of 73 looks about right judged on his narrow victory last year on his debut. Whilst the runner-up that day has not won since, he has run very well and so the form looks solid. Ed Dunlop's horses are in good form and therefore he must rate a very live danger. Telltime has been running well on the all-weather and shouldn't be far away if ridden with slightly more restraint today. Mason Ette should appreciate the drop in trip today and is not one to right off, along with Zahour Al Yasmeen and Pango's Legacy. Le Singe Noir has been in consistent form on the all-weather but those weren't strong contests and he needs to step up, so with that in mind we are happy to return to Cha Cha Cha to glide to victory.
Zahour Al Yasmeen 7-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace, 5th of 9, 2l behind Lord Theo (9-2) at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Pango's Legacy 9-2 (8-12) With leader, ridden 3f out, not quicken, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 7l behind Apache Dream (8-12) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Mason Ette 11-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon led, headed 2f out and weakened, 10th of 11, 7l behind All of Me (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Apr.
My Love Thomas (IRE) 11-4 (8-12) Soon tracking leader, carried wide into straight, struck by rival whip inside final furlong, ran on to lead close home, won at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov beating Kyle (9-3) by a shd, 5 ran.
Cha Cha Cha 6-1 (9-1) In touch, pushed along halfway, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Mandurah (8-5) at Haydock 5f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Le Singe Noir 12-1 (8-13) Held up mid-division, ridden to chase leader 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Teen Ager (8-13) at Lingfield 7f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Apr.
Telltime (IRE) 10-1 (8-0) Narrow lead, headed 2f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner to inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Rasaman (8-11) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Straight Face (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) In rear, soon outpaced, moderate headway final furlong, never a factor, 7th of 10, 11l behind Arch of Titus (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Apr.