held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, took 3rd near finish, no impression with front pair
led, ridden over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on same pace, held when lost 3rd near finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, held on well
keen early, pressed leader, effort over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish
held up in rear, took keen hold and hung violently right to wide outside after 2f, unrideable and took no part after, eventually pulled up inside final furlong
tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Chessman has a tough task on these terms though there’s little between the rest on handicap ratings. But STORMBRINGER (NAP) is receiving weight from the older horses and is worth another try over today’s trip after finding only Limato too good over 6f at York last time. African Ride won a Listed race on the all-weather track at Deauville last month having switched yards while Salateen has placed in conditions races recently without threatening the winner. Straight Right and Gulliver have the past form to figure but are both returning from absences with the former winning a handicap at Newcastle back in February.
Gulliver 16-1 (9-2) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, lost place over 2f out, 8th of 9, dist behind Emmaus (9-2) at Leicester 7f lst stks (1) hvy in Apr.
Salateen 2-1 (9-7) Led, narrowly headed 2f out, chased winner, ridden over 1f out, readily held inside final furlong, 2nd of 3, 2 1/4l behind Tabarrak (9-10) at Lingfield 7f stks (3) pol in Sep.
Straight Right (FR) 9-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, soon closed, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newcastle 7f hcp (2) pol in Feb beating Gallipoli (8-12) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
African Ride (8-13) won at Deauville 7f stks pol in Aug beating Grand Vintage (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Chessman (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Raced centre, hung right most of way, chased leaders, weakened inside final 2f, 18th of 20, 14 1/4l behind Ripp Orf (8-9) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gf in Sep.
Stormbringer 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Limato (9-5) at York 6f lst stks (1) gs in Sep.