tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
made all, ridden over 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, edged left and ran on gamely
steadied start, in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
held up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, no impression inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Just the 7lb separates the field on official ratings and a tough choice between Gatewood's potential and the battle-hardened GRUMETI. A narrow verdict goes to the latter as he's proven on ground with cut. The handicapper may have had his say, but there should be more to come, and he has optimum conditions here. Gatewood could be far better than this level despite only having landed an ordinary Salisbury maiden. However, he's yet to run on ground with cut and is likely to go off a short-priced market leader. Ivan Vasilevich has enjoyed a cracking season and travels his optimum trip though he's still climbing the weights and may find this a bridge too far. In contrast, Groomed remains unexposed but must improve on a comfortable Beverley handicap success to overcome some of these.
Gatewood 4-9fav (9-0) Always prominent, led over 3f out, soon strongly challenged, drew clear final furlong, ridden out, won at Salisbury 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun beating Anatolian (8-7) by 4l, 11 ran.
Ivan Vasilevich (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Soon led and set steady pace, quickened over 3f out, ridden and joined over 1f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Calaf (8-12) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Val O'hara (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Started very slowly, behind, closer order on outside 2f out, headway on wide outside over 1f out, strong run to chase leader final 100 yards, stayed on to lead final 50 yards, won at Kempton 1m 2f mdn fll (5) pol in Jun beating Neumark (8-12) by 1l, 12 ran.
Grumeti 11-2 (9-3) Chased leading trio, challenged 2f out, every chance until winner swept by inside final furlong, one pace and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Cool Macavity (8-8) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Muntasib (USA) 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, not clearest of runs inside final 2f, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Directorship (9-10) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Swindy 7-2 (9-7) Held up in rear, headway 3f out, squeezed through rivals over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Mystic Edge (8-11) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Groomed (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Beverley 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Corsicanrun (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
