set steady tempo, gradually increased gallop from 4f out, ridden 2f out, held on
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, closed inside final furlong, just held
tracked winner, pushed along over 2f out, not quicken and lost 2nd over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in touch in last, pushed along over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, no impression
ORATORIO'S JOY has obvious claims if staying the longer trip. She went close at Wolverhampton over 1m4f last time with the re-opposing pair Royal Battalion and Heska behind and the former looks the biggest threat once again. Flashman has won over today's trip but back in 2012 and needs further nowadays, as does Fair Loch who was well beaten over jumps at the end of last year.
Flashman 16-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Ridgeway Storm (9-8) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Oratorio's Joy (IRE) 4-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well, 2nd of 9, nk behind Archipeligo (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5).
Royal Battalion 5-1 (9-4) Led, hard ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Archipeligo (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5).
Heska (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, hard ridden well over 1f out, faded final furlong, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Archipeligo (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5).
Fair Loch 6-1 (9-9) In rear, headway on outer over 4f out, tracked leaders over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on one pace, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 9, 2 3/4l behind Fly Solo (9-10) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in May.