held up in rear, not fluent, headway 8th, led 2 out, readily
held up towards rear, headway 8th, pressed winner 2 out, hit last, one pace
with leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders until lost place 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
led to 3rd, remained with leader, ridden and outpaced from 3 out
chased clear leaders, headway 8th, ridden and outpaced from 2 out
Commercial Flyer should face little opposition from the likes of Sully Shuffles and Lanzlo in our finale. The application of a tongue tie was given as one of the likely reasons for his improvement at Exeter but if anything this step up to three miles should bring about further improvement from this half-brother to Our Vic. Staying chases will be his game in the future but the chance of a big prize and just a seven pound penalty look to have proved irresistible to Messrs Pipe and Johnson. Sully Shuffles should have no problems with trip or going having handled both adequately in Ireland. Martin Todhunter can have them ready first time out and while he makes some appeal, he looks one who should be paying his way during the summer period. Tony Dobbin will be spending plenty of hours in the sauna before climbing aboard Lanzlo. His form figures do not look that inspiring of late but there have been one or two fair performances over this trip last year that give him an opportunity off the light racing weight. Simlet and Skenfrith are dour stayers who probably will find even these conditions a little on the lively side. Caesar's Palace has not won for some time and is readily opposed on this occasion.
Commercial Flyer (IRE) 9-2 Held up in rear, good headway to lead 3 out, clear when hit next, not fluent last, readily, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd beating Achilles Wings by 6l, 10 ran.
Sully Shuffles (IRE) 11-2 Towards rear, progress 6 out, moderate 5th 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 10l behind Spanish John at Galway 3m hcp hdl gf in Aug.
Simlet 12-1 Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, no impression from next, 7th of 14, 9l behind Hopbine at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd.
Skenfrith 6-1 Tracked leaders, headway 4 out, led before next, clear last, pushed out, comfortably, won at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in Mar beating A Few Bob Back by 11l, 8 ran.
Caesar's Palace (GER) 13-2 Led to 5th, soon lost place, kept on from 3 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 8, 20l behind Skenfrith at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) hvy in Mar.
Lanzlo (FR) 9-1 Held up in rear and keen, headway after 3 out, going well when carried out 2 out in race won by Alagon at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Mar, 10 ran.