chased leaders, hard driven and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace well inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway when carried right over 1f out, some late progress, never nearer
led until over 2f out, soon hard driven and under pressure, weakened well over 1f out
chased leaders, driven halfway, soon no impression
tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, soon one pace
behind, soon outpaced, headway when hung right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
behind, ridden halfway, soon beaten
tracked leaders, driven to lead over 2f out, soon strongly challenged, kept on well under pressure
Secret Witness arrives in form and has gone well here in the past but even though this is slightly easier than recent assignments he's not the easiest to win with and probably needs a career best to land victory number four. Our preference is for VHUJON, a talented animal on his day who arrives on the back of a convincing course and distance success. The David Evans-trained gelding is unpenalised for that victory and remains some 16lbs below his highest winning mark, so providing there's a decent pace to chase he should take some beating. With Spanish Acclaim and Steelcut just two of a host of horses who like to set the tempo that strong pace does seem likely but it would be foolish to dismiss those who can cut out the running, especially Spanish Acclaim after winning here recently. He's unexposed and must be considered along with Hot Pursuits who has experience of the track and remains in good heart.
Secret Witness 11-4fav (9-9) Chased winner, driven over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Cape Royal (8-12) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Kerrys Requiem (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden halfway, lost place 2f out, driven and headway inside inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 7th of 11, 2l behind Kanaf (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Ocean Blaze 13-8fav (9-7) Chased leader, ridden and bumped on inside well over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner approaching final furlong, one pace and held when lost 2nd last strides, 3rd of 4, 3/4l behind Night Affair (9-10) at Bath 5f flls hcp 0-75 (5) fm.
Brandywell Boy (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Held up and behind, headway when switched left 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 3l behind Solemn (9-10) at Newbury 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Steelcut 5-2fav (9-6) Chased winner, pushed along halfway, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace of winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Island Legend (9-1) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Vhujon (IRE) 4-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, hard driven and effort over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Bath 6f app hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Stamford Blue (8-8) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Spanish Acclaim 13-8fav (9-7) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, won at Brighton 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Rathbawn Girl (8-6) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Hot Pursuits 4-1 (9-5) Prominent, chased winner 3f out, going well 2f out, ridden and found little inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Admirable Duchess (8-13) at Bath 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fm in Jul.
