tracked leaders, on outside, outpaced 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to challenge and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, headway to lead narrowly inside final furlong, soon ridden, stayed on towards finish
slowly into stride, held up, in touch, in rear, driven to chase leaders when switched outside 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, chased front pair towards finish, no impression
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
pressed leader, ridden over 1f out, lost place inside final furlong, no extra
Dark Shot finally got off the mark last time after a sequence of near misses and looks feasibly treated for this handicap bow, although this rates a very tight handicap with only 6lb covering the septet. Papa Luigi took time to get off the mark but has flourished impressively since doing so and now seeks the four-timer. He is ascending the handicap pretty quickly but Gary Mahon's claim helps offset most of the 8lb rise he takes in the ratings for his latest win. It's tempting to go along with the Hannon charge but OLYMPIC RUNNER produced her best performance to date when a convincing scorer at Yarmouth last time and William Haggas is expected to eke out further progress from the Exceed And Excel filly. The remainder, of which Kassia and Southern Belle make most appeal, are all respected in a trappy contest.
Papa Luigi (IRE) 10-11fav (9-12) Made all, quickened over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Kempton 6f hcp (5) pol in Jun beating Baron Bolt (9-5) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Kassia (IRE) 5-2 (9-7) Restless in stalls, soon led, clear over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ridden to hold on in closing stages, won at Bath 5f hcp (4) gd in Jun beating Emerald Loch (8-9) by nk, 3 ran.
Southern Belle (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 11, 7 1/2l behind Quiet Reflection (8-12) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Florencio 10-1 (9-4) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 11, 8l behind Justice Angel (8-12) at Chester 6f hcp (3) gd in May.
Dark Shot 2-9fav (9-6) Made all, took field towards far side in straight, ridden and clear over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Windsor 5f mdn stks (5) sft in Jun beating Silver Bid (9-12) by 6l, 5 ran.
Silken Skies (IRE) 2-1 (8-9) Broke smartly, tracked leaders, switched left over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Lady Macapa (9-7) at Windsor 5f hcp (3) sft in Jun.
Olympic Runner 10-3 (9-7) Tracked leading pair, headway to lead entering final furlong, ran on, won at Yarmouth 5f hcp (5) gd in Jun beating Gabrielle (9-7) by 3l, 6 ran.
