raced freely, led to 4f out, weakened 3f out, eased when no chance over 1f out
tracked leaders in 4th, lost place over 4f out, soon beaten, eased when no chance final furlong
held up in rear, in touch, driven along 4f out, headway to lead 3f out, 2 lengths clear when hung right final furlong, stayed on well
held up in 6th, pushed along halfway, plugged on one pace and no chance final 2f
tracked leaders, led 4f out to 3f out, stayed chasing winner, held over 1f out
raced in 5th, driven along 4f out, soon well outpaced
chased leader, ridden 3f out, stayed on one pace final 2f
Copernican should take plenty of beating in this handicap and he is confidently nominated over King of The Beers and Apache Chant. The selection looks a typical improver from the Sir Mark Prescott yard and he answered all the questions asked of him when winning in good style at Hamilton last time defeating News Of The Day. He is sure to come on for that effort because he although he has now had four runs, he did show signs of greeness last time and he sets the standard. King Of The Beers is exposed compared to the selection but he did return to form when winning well at Wolverhampton last time and he looks the chief rival to our choice. Apache Chant was having his first run for a new trainer when well beaten at Chepstow last time and it will be interesting to see how he fares on his handicap debut. It will be a surprise if any of the others are good enough and for the winner we are happy to stick with Copernican.
Benny The Bat 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, keen, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 13, 9l behind Mutual Friend (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in May.
Opera Crown (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 13l behind Six of Diamonds (8-10) at Bath 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gf in May.
Copernican 13-8fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, effort 4f out, ridden and headway from over 2f out to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo hcp (6) gf beating News of The Day (9-2) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
King of The Beers (USA) 7-2jt-fav (9-2) Headway over 3f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, pushed clear, won at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol beating Conny Nobel (8-4) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Pagan Rules (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance 2f out, gradually faded, 9th of 14, 10l behind Sumner (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) gf in May.
Apache Chant (USA) 66-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace from 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Brisk Breeze (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gs in May.
Lightning Queen (USA) 16-1 (8-10) Mid-division riden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 8th of 14, 7l behind Sumner (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) gf in May.
Present 33-1 (8-11) Led 7f, faded, last of 15, 20l behind Raise The Goblet (8-10) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) gd in May.
