held up, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, ridden along 3f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden along when outpaced over 2f out, driven and ran on final furlong to join leader post
towards rear, effort over 3f out, no impression
led, reminders over 3f out, headed well over 2f out, soon behind
towards rear, rapid headway to lead over 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong, joined post
steadied at start, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
This is a trappy handicap to close the card and narrow preference is for EMPOWERED over Red Merlin and Aphrodisia. William Haggas has made a good start to the month and Empowered won with plenty in hand on his seasonal return at Doncaster last month. He is unpenalised for that success and with Johnny Murtagh taking over from an apprentice in the saddle he can get his head in front again. Red Merlin went close last time out but he is high enough in the weights at present and on that basis he looks one to take on. Aphrodisia won well last time but this hold-up performer might not get the race run to suit here and she will need the cards to fall right if she is to score. Aureate has the plum draw and he has got course and distance winning form so he is another to consider. However, Empowered ticks plenty of boxes and can land the prize.
Aureate 12-1 (9-1) Steadied start, in rear, some late headway, never nearer, 10th of 18, 11l behind Hatton Flight (9-0) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (3) gd in Apr.
Buddhist Monk 4-1fav (9-4) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Serious Choice (7-11) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
Birkside 5-1 (9-13) Mid-division after 2f, headway 4f out, 4th and weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 9l behind La Estrella (9-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Empowered (IRE) 11-8fav (9-4) Tracked leaders,effort when hung right over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gd beating Tufton (8-3) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Bowder Stone (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) With leader, led 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 19, 48l behind Spring Jim (8-9) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Mar.
Admiral (IRE) 33-1 (9-9) Took keen hold behind leaders, ridden along over 4f out, soon behind, last of 8, 39l behind Hawk Mountain (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Red Merlin (IRE) 7-4fav (9-1) Keen, in rear, headway over 2f out, running on, just failed, 2nd of 11, nk behind Run For Ede's (8-5) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Aphrodisia 8-1 (8-5) Steadied at start, held up in rear, headway on wide outside 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, ran on final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 2f fll hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gf in Apr beating La Rosa Nostra (8-5) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.