in touch, ridden over 2f out, eased when beaten 1f out
held up behind, ridden 5f out, stayed on from over 2f out, went 3rd final furlong
led to over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, ridden over 4f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened 1f out
pulled hard and mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden and chased winner over 2f out, kept on, always held
towards rear, ridden 5f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
chased leader, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, comfortably
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong
Western Roots can provide the answer to the opener with Follow The Colours and Balnagore amongst potential challengers. The selection has been in the form of his life at present and only narrowly missed out at Newbury from a 3lb lower mark last time. The winner of that race was due to turn out again on Friday so may well have franked the form by the time they go to post but he appeared to be a well handicapped, progressive horse so there was no disgrace in that defeat whilst the impressive David Probert is excellent value for his claim which makes the selection look well treated. Balnagore has a bit to prove but may just have needed his two runs to date this season and drops in grade; he shouldn't be dismissed. Wester Ross appears to have lost his way and Zach's Harmony is climbing the weights for getting beaten but Follow The Colours didn't run too badly at Folkestone last time and could find that this track plays to his strengths more than the Kent venue. Preference though, is for Western Roots.
Balnagore 12-1 (8-10) Held up, behind, stayed on steadily final 2f, nearest finish, 6th of 14, 10l behind Crete (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Wester Ross (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Prominent, raced keenly, led over 3f out, headed and weakened 2f out, 4th of 6, 14l behind Royal Premier (9-0) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Zach's Harmoney (USA) 10-3fav (9-7) Led, pressed 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, caught final strides, 2nd of 9, hd behind Astrolibra (8-2) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Master Mahogany 25-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 9th of 14, 13l behind Dear Maurice (9-10) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Red Current 28-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 12, 15l behind Night Orbit (10-8) at Newbury 1m 2f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gs.
Follow The Colours (IRE) 11-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Shabahar (9-2) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Siena Star (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 13th of 14, 19l behind Constant Cheers (8-13) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Western Roots 7-2 (9-12) Led, strongly pressed final furlong, caught final strides, 2nd of 12, nk behind Night Orbit (10-8) at Newbury 1m 2f amt hcp 0-80 (5) gs.
Muffett's Dream 50-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, kept on inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 4l behind Saraba (9-6) at Windsor 1m 2f fll hcp (5) gf.
Play Up Pompey 25-1 (8-12) Steadied start, always rear, 13th of 16, 44l behind Bienheureux (8-11) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Apr.
