towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never on terms
raced wide keen close up, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd inside final furlong
in rear, pushed along 3f out, never nearer
tracked leader, pushed along to lead 3f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on
close up, pushed along and slightly outpaced 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along and headway to press leaders 3f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and headed 3f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up, ridden 2f out, never on terms
A competitive affair, in which the presence of the unexposed, very lightly-raced four-year-old, Crossing The Bar, takes the eye. Sir Michael Stoute's gelding revealed his first piece of solid form last time and the yard is renowned for their handling of older horses. He still has to progress again though and may not offer much in the way of value. In contrast, MAGNA MORALIA is useful under both codes and exposed on the level but he's a likeable sort who runs his race and will have no problem with trip and ground. He can reverse placings with Snookered on recent Nottingham form and is a value option. Francisco Bay is interesting stepping up to this trip for the first time and is one to watch.
Battle Of Wills (IRE) 125-1 (10-3) Held up in rear, ridden before 3 out, kept on past beaten rivals from 2 out, 5th of 9, 28l behind Flash Collonges (11-7) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Goobinator (USA) 40-1 (11-1) Chased leaders on inside, lost place 7th, well beaten when mistake 2 out, 11th of 12, 22 1/2l behind Proschema (11-11) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
The Navigator 12-1 (8-7) Held up in midfield, ridden along over 3f out, made no impression from 2f out, 7th of 9, 8 1/4l behind The Trader (9-6) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcp (3) gf in May.
Crossing The Bar (IRE) 18-1 (10-0) Always prominent, led briefly over 5f out, chased winner, ridden and one pace final 2f, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Mr Curiosity (10-0) at Bath 1m 4f stks (4) gd in May.
Magna Moralia (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Held up, headway over 3f out, disputed second from 2f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Cochise (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (5) sft in May.
Francisco Bay 9-2 (9-7) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Seventeen O Four (8-8) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp (5) sft in May.
Snookered (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, disputed second from 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Cochise (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (5) sft in May.
Flash Point (IRE) 6-1 (10-1) Mid-division, travelled nicely, pushed along 2f out, responding well for pressure 1f out, ran on strongly but no match for the winner, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Ben Lilly (9-2) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (6) gd in Sep.