slowly into stride, chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge well over 1f out, kept on well closing stages, never reached winner
always prominent, led after 2f, hard ridden when challenged well over 1f out, ran on well
led 2f, remained prominent, switched right to challenge over 1f out, no extra towards finish
tracked leader, keen, 2nd halfway, every chance 2f out, hung left and weakened under pressure approaching final furlong
Attain has won four times on the all-weather this year but went close on the Turf course at Lingfield last time. Another bold bid is expected but the three-year-old GROVEMAN has more scope and after just missing out over today’s trip at Chepstow, Charlie Hills’ charge gets the vote. Avocadeau is not badly treated on last year’s winning form and was placed over a longer distance here recently but the returning Il Sicario and Champagne Freddie are harder to fancy.
Attain 9-1 (9-5) Pushed along leaving stalls, in touch in rear, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to challenge and every chance inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 5, hd behind Port Douglas (10-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Il Sicario (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) With leader, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Jack Of Diamonds (9-6) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Groveman 6-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden when not clear run on inside and switched right approaching final furlong, 2nd inside final furlong, ridden and ran on well towards finish, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Juneau (9-3) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Avocadeau (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Soon led, headed over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 9, 3 1/4l behind General Brook (9-1) at Bath 1m 4f hcp (6) fm in Jun.
Champagne Freddie 10-1 (8-12) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, chased leaders on outside over 1f out, ridden and kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 12, 1 3/4l behind Caribbean Spring (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jun.