tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, held on well towards finish
led, headed 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
stumbled badly start, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, tracked leaders, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Veroon has claims if able to produce his best at a track he has won on and Trumpstoo is respected now receiving a stone from that rival but connections of DUKE OF TOURAINE have been very patient with their charge and can be rewarded. Ben Haslam's five-year-old was trained by his father Pat when last seen on a racecourse in December 2008. He had been very well placed to win four of his six most recent starts, and although he has to prove hit fitness here his handler is unlikely to risk running him when not fully fit after such a long break, so we will chance this formerly-progressive sort to resume with success. Veroon likes it here and has been slipping back to a decent mark, so with the ground not a problem he looks a leading player, and though he has beaten Trumpstoo six lengths previously, he is now 8lbs worse off and so Richard Fahey's runner enters calculations. King Of The Moors acts on the ground but on the whole his form is better over a mile, while General Tufto is best at Southwell and a chance is taken on Duke Of Touraine.
Veroon (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 19l behind Destinys Dream (8-5) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
General Tufto 7-1 (8-11) Keen, prominent, ridden to chase leader 2f out until 1f out, no extra towards finish, 5th of 12, 6l behind Buddy Holly (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
King of The Moors (USA) 14-1 (8-9) Close up, challenged and every chance 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Sir George (8-11) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Solis 9-2 (8-8) Always towards rear, 9th of 10, 21l behind Trans Sonic (8-8) at Southwell 1m hacp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Trumpstoo (USA) 5-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 8, 11l behind Twist Again (9-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Sep.
Duke of Touraine (IRE) 11-8fav (9-1) Steadied at start, held up towards rear, smooth headway on inner 2f out, effort when not much room approaching final furlong, driven to lead inside, ran on, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Apr '08 beating Highland Love (8-13) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
