led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, one pace
held up in 5th, headway between horses 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish
slowly away, held up last, headway on outside 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
took keen hold, chased leading trio, effort on outside over 2f out, hard ridden and no impression over 1f out
tracked leading pair, good headway on inside inside final 3f, led inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra towards finish
soon chased leader, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final 2f
The Andy Haynes trained FIRE KING scored with something to spare when taking on this track last time and after that run is given the vote to go in again at the expense of Inquisitress and Prince Valentine, who also like it here. The pick put in a consistent run of form when tried at this track four times before scoring well last time out. The form from that race has a bit of strength to it and his mark rise is a fair one. Inquisitress is a dual winner here but has five lengths to find on the pick based on their last meeting although the weights suggest a closer contest this time. Prince Valentine has done most of his winning here but also has form to overturn with the pick while Phluke is looking light at the weights but is out of form. All the form lines here point to a Fire King victory.
Phluke 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leader until lost place over 4f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Eager To Bow (9-2) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Fire King 9-4fav (9-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2f out, got through on stands rail over 1f out, soon challenging, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on, driven out, won at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jul beating Motty's Gift (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Stargazy 25-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, always behind, 12th of 13, 10l behind Cyril The Squirrel (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp 0-55 (6) pol in Jul.
Minortransgression (USA) 28-1 (8-6) Prominent, lost place when not much room over 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 26l behind Kingsdine (8-13) at Chepstow 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jul.
Prince Valentine 20-1 (8-11) In touch, effort centre to dispute 3rd over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind Fire King (9-1) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jul.
Miss Jabba (IRE) 40-1 (8-3) Close up, went 2nd briefly halfway, driven and struggling in 4th 4f out, gradually weakened, 6th of 8, 17l behind Gulf President (9-1) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Inquisitress 8-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division, headway 3f out, soon hard ridden, never able to challenge, 8th of 13, 10l behind Fitzolini (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jul.