led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up, never dangerous
tracked leader, one pace final furlong
prominent, weakened over 1f out
in touch, one pace final 2f
tracked leader, led over 1f out, stayed on well
towards rear, stayed on from over 1f out
mid-division, one pace final 2f
always in rear
behind, struggling 3f out
Summon Up Theblood looks a good bet to land this competitive opener; the list of dangers is headed by Hold The Gold, Slam and Underworld. This 3-year-old from the Mick Channon yard made all the running to score in good style at Thirsk last time and he looks a good bet to land the hat-trick today. Slam could be his chief danger as he won in good style at Great Leighs last time when he beat Once A Gulch. He should strip fitter for that run as it was his seasonal reappearance and he is respected. Underworld also arrives here in good form but he had the run of the race at Wolverhampton last time so he could have been flattered by the form of that victory. Points Of View is a model of consistency but this is quite a hot race and we will side with Summon Up Theblood as the pick.
Underworld 4-7fav (9-3) Made all, ridden 2f out, clear final furlong, won at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar beating Fathsta (9-6) by 4l, 7 ran.
Oasis Wind 14-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 8l behind Ancien Regime (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) frm in May.
Slam 4-9fav (8-7) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on, won at Great Leighs 1m mdn aut stk (5) pol in May beating Once a Gulch (8-8) by 3l, 7 ran.
Traphalgar (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten, last of 9, 12l behind Commander Cave (8-8) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Points of View 4-5fav (10-2) Raced keenly in mid-division, headway over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Moment's Notice (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Summon Up Theblood 5-2fav (9-0) Tracked leader, led over 5f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in May beating Inspector Clouseau (8-11) by 2l, 7 ran.
Midnight Muse (USA) 28-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, pushed along over 4f out, left behind final 3f, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Tajaaweed (8-12) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in May.
Bere Davis (FR) 10-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Throne of Power (9-4) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf in May.
Hold The Gold (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) Held up mid-division, good headway over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, ran on well, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec beating Regal Bird (8-12) by 2l, 12 ran.
Jim Martin 7-2 (8-8) Behind, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 8l behind Dickie Le Davoir (8-11) at Hamilton 6f clm (6) gf.