raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened 3f out
slowly into stride, in rear, niggled along, ridden over 5f out, headway under pressure over 2f out, squeezed through over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, towards rear, last 3f out, soon carried head high, switched right and headway and looking very awkward ride over 1f out, ran on towards finish, not reached winner
slowly into stride, in rear, pushed along 3f out, good headway to lead over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
led after 1f briefly, chased leader until 6f out, ridden well over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in touch, lost place 5f out, ridden over 3f out, effort on far side over 1f out, no impression, weakened inside final furlong
led 1f, prominent, lost place 5f out, behind final 4f
pulled hard, led after 1f, hung left 2f out, edged right and headed over 1f out, beaten inside final furlong
mid-division, pulled hard, headway 7f out, chased leader 6f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along and headway over 4f out, weakened entering final furlong
A weak race to open the card and from a shortlist of KIRKSON, Highland Storm and First Spirit we will side with Kirkson. The selection has run well on each of his last two runs, both at Yarmouth, but the key to his chance today is this longer trip as he is bred to be better over this sort of distance and he looks a good bet to open his account. Highland Storm has had a few chances now, but he is eased in grade today and in a race as weak as this he may well be capable of taking a hand in the finish. David Evans sends two to post here, Bounty Reef and Cherry Belle, and the market may well provide a guide to which one, if either, is fancied. However, it could pay to take a chance on Kirkson who gets our vote.
Blazing Buck 28-1 (8-12) In touch, pushed along 6f out, ridden over 3f out, soon behind, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Kimberley Downs (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
First Spirit 6-1fav (9-0) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, 11l behind Hi Fling (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Highland Storm 7-1 (8-11) Slow into stride, behind, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never in contention, 6th of 13, 10l behind Urban Space (8-9) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Jeronimo Joe 25-1 (8-7) Chased leader until 7f out, remained close up, pushed along 4f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 11l behind Rose Of Coma (8-2) at Leicester 1m 2f sell stks (6) gf in May.
Just Dan 33-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden 6f out, weakened over 4f out, 7th of 9, well behind Taste The Wine (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Kirkson 12-1 (8-12) Held up, lost place 4f out, driven, switched right and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Chantilly Dancer (8-2) at Yarmouth 1m 1f 3yo sll (6) gd in Jun.
Mystic Prince 17-2 (9-7) Chased leaders 5f, 10th of 13, 18l behind Miss Mojito (9-3) at Salisbury 1m 3yo app hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Strongarm 50-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Urban Space (8-9) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Bounty Reef 12-1 (8-7) Slowly intro stride, soon tracking leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 9l behind Rio Cobolo (8-12) at Chester 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Cherry Belle (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Always behind, 12th of 13, 19l behind Carter (8-12) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
