took keen hold, tracked leaders on inside, closer in 3rd 5f out, disputing 2nd over 2f out until 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace in 3rd
raced wide, held up tracking leaders, 2nd halfway, pushed along 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f
tracked winner until halfway, chased leading pair until 5f out, weakened and behind final 4f
made all and dictated pace given confident ride, never in any danger, won hard held, unchallenged
held up last, steady headway on outside 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on but flattered by proximity to hard held winner
Kenneth Stack and Amie Waugh teamed up to win last year’s renewal and look to have every chance once again with TONTO’S SPIRIT. The latter arrives on the back of a win at Thirsk having scored twice over hurdles earlier this year. Lady Natasha was still beaten five lengths when second at Doncaster while Sherman McCoy was placed under Becky Smith at Newbury last season and is preferred to fellow veterans Gunner Lindley and Thackeray.
Lady Natasha (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Mid-division, smooth headway over 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on, nearest finish, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Incus (8-2) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (5) sft in Jun.
Sherman McCoy 66-1 (10-11) Soon mid-division, ridden and faded over 1f out, 7th of 11, 14 1/2l behind Genres (10-11) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Gunner Lindley (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Led, pushed along before 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Morning Time (10-0) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Tonto's Spirit 5-2fav (8-5) Keen made most, soon 3 lengths clear, reduced lead 5f out, ridden 2f out, ran on, won at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in Jun beating Stoneboat Bill (9-6) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Thackeray 16-1 (8-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 10th of 11, 10 1/2l behind Miss Tree (8-8) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (6) gd in May.