slowly into stride, soon led, headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, headway to challenge over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on, held near finish
dwelt, held up in rear, ridden and kept on final 2f, never trouble leaders
with leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up, driven and headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, held on under pressure final furlong
held up, pushed along 5f out, soon outpaced, lost touch 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out to over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Lucavan Dancer was a winner when last running over course and distance, Fort Churchill looks to be hitting some decent form but the recent form of RAUCOUS should see him ahead of the rest at the finish. The gelding was a winner at Newmarket last time, recording his second victory in four starts this year. This is the six-year-olds trip of preference and a third victory of the year looks imminent. David Nicholls' Lucavan Dancer recorded his last victory over course and distance, but that was eight months ago and form since then has been a little inconsistent. The exposed gelding may fare well here but he doesn't look like getting the better of the selection. Fort Churchill hasn't tasted victory since last September but has come on recently and looks capable of building on his third place finish last time. He has preference for the trip and will appreciate a return to this distance. Bivouac and Blue Jet are capable, but have been off the boil of late so may be best watched. For us there look to be none better here than Raucous.
Blue Jet (USA) 9-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 22l behind Northern Dune (9-1) at Redcar 2m hcp 0-65 (6) fm in Apr.
Lucayan Dancer 4-1fav (9-2) Prominent, ridden to challenge, every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 6l behind Safebreaker (8-8) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp 0-70 (5) fm in Apr.
Obara d'Avril (FR) 15-2 (10-9) With leader, lost place 4 out, last of 12, well behind Painted Sky (11-2) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr '08.
Raucous (GER) 7-4fav (8-5) Chased leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, driven out, won at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr beating Rosbay (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Grand Art (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 10, 5l behind Safebreaker (8-8) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp 0-70 (5) fm in Apr.
Dark Planet 12-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, keen, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 13l behind McCormack (8-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Fort Churchill (IRE) 6-1 (8-3) Held up, raced keenly, ridden 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, just failed to get 2nd, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Watchmaker (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (6) pol in Apr.
Bivouac (UAE) 8-1 (8-4) Prominent, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened and eased, 8th of 9, 34l behind Elisiario (8-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Apr.
