towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never able to challenge
steadied start, held up behind, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders until lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
behind, headway 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong, never nearer
with leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra when not much room towards finish
tracked leaders, challenged over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on, held towards finish
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong
mid-division, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, switched inside and headway 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, edged right and held on towards finish
slowly into stride, always behind
behind, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
This is a competitive handicap and the nomination is given to Centenerola, who can get the better of Nortune and Writingonthewall. The selection won well last time out and although she has a 6lbs penalty for that success, she goes on the ground and she will be suited by this slight step-up in trip, so she can go close from a favourable draw. Nortune finished lame on his only start as a juvenile, but he won well last month at Musselburgh and as he was still quite green that day there should be more to come. Writingonthewall has got some fair form and he looks as though this step-up in trip will suit, but he has yet to race on this type of ground and he may need the run on his return from a break. Cathedral Walk could be worth noting in the market on his handicap debut, while Coffee Cup is arguably better than she showed on her final appearance of last season. This is a good race and we will side with Centenerola to land the prize.
Centenerola (USA) 11-4 (8-12) Held up, smooth headway 3f out, led over 2f out, soon clear, won at Doncaster 7f mdn fll (4) gs beating Amylee (8-12) by 9l, 10 ran.
Writingonthewall (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 7l behind Floristry (9-7) at York 6f 2yo hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Daring Dream (GER) 11-2 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, eased final furlong, last of 16, 26l behind Resplendent Light (9-6) at Pontefract 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Nortune (USA) 10-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on well inside last to lead close home, won at Musselburgh 7f mdn stk (5) gd in Mar beating Prince Kalamoun (8-12) by a nk, 10 ran.
My Mate Max 9-4 (8-13) Tracked leaders, not clear run over 1f out, switched right, stayed on inside final furlong to take 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Boomtown (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Cathedral Walk (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, 5th halfway, 4th entering straight, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on at one pace, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind High Court Drama (9-0) at Dundalk 7f 3yo mdn std in Mar.
Marning Star 9-1 (8-11) Held up last, driven along 3f out, soon beaten, no chance final 2f, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind dhtrs Townkab (8-0) & Goodwood Starlight (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sept.
Society Venue 20-1 (9-4) In touch on outside, ridden and lost place 3f out, stayed on but edged left, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Tobogganist (9-2) at Warwick 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct.
Morocchius (USA) 13-2 (9-0) In touch, every chance over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, 7th of 14, 6l behind Forgotten Voice (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Oct.
So Sublime 2-1 (9-0) With leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on, won at Southwell 7f 3yo sll (6) fbs in Jan beating What's For Tea (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Zabougg 20-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, outpaced 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 35l behind Albaqaa (8-9) at Redcar 1m 1f mdn stk (5) gs in Mar.
Always Brave 20-1 (8-9) Pulled hard and soon prominent, weakened quickly 2f out, last of 9, 14l behind Commander Cave (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Coffee Cup (IRE) 9-4fav (8-6) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 10th of 13, 7l behind Joinedupwriting (8-11) at Redcar 7f 2yo hcp (5) gf in Sept.
Natural Rhythm (IRE) 50-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, pulled hard, ridden over 4f out, not clear run over 3f out, weakening when hampered well over 2f out, 7th of 10, 20l behind Black Tor Figarro (8-5) at Warwick 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) sft.
