broke well, chased leaders, weakened 2f out
soon led, headed over 1f out, no extra closing stages
steadied in rear, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, hung left over 1f out, faded final furlong
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hung left, ran on well
held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, chased leaders over 2f out, soon one pace
mid-division, lost place over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up, headway into mid-division after 3f, chased leaders over 2f out, not clear run when switched right to challenge inside final furlong, kept on well
towards rear, struggling over 4f out, never dangerous
pulled hard, soon prominent, lost place well over 2f out, eased entering final furlong
Howardian Hills has only won once, an all-weather claimer, but was second at Salisbury last month on his return to Turf. He’s only a pound higher, though the winner has done little for the form since. He was also more than five lengths behind GENERAL BROOK at Kempton at the start of the year, though is 12lb better off. John O’Shea’s runner improved again to score at Lingfield last month and looks the one to beat, though Diamond Reflection was third in that Kempton race and has each-way claims. Avocadeau won here last year but has been well below par in two runs this season.
Iona Island 40-1 (9-2) Led 3f, chased leaders, lost place over 5f out, soon behind, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Brandon Castle (9-7) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Avocadeau (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Awkward start and very slowly away, always detached, last of 7, dist behind Desert Cross (9-10) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Diamond Reflection (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Slowly away, in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Midnight Mood (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) gf in May.
General Brook (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Soon tracking leader, chased new leader inside final 2f, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on to lead last strides, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) gs in May beating Penny Poet (9-5) by hd, 12 ran.
Howardian Hills (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway tracking leaders over 3f out, led going well 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Ablaze (9-6) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in May.
Exspectation (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Close up, ridden and weakened 2f out, 11th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Pour La Victoire (9-7) at Brighton 1m hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Travis Bickle (IRE) 40-1 (8-2) In rear, driven over 5f out, headway on outside from 3f out, one pace over 1f out, no extra final 100 yards, 6th of 16, 8 3/4l behind Sula Island (9-7) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (6) sft in Jun.
Morning Sequel 100-1 (11-0) Never fluent, always towards rear, 12th of 16, dist behind Grageelagh Girl (11-0) at Newton Abbot 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in Jun.
House Of Frauds (IRE) (8-10) won at L'Ancresse 1m 4f hcp in May beating Carthage (10-9) by 1/2l, 3 ran.