behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
led 3f, chased leader, ridden when switched left just over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt, driven to lead after 3f, soon clear, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, headed close home
mid-division, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead close home
mid-division, ridden over 6f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden and headway when not clear run over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up, ridden over 5f out, soon behind
slow into stride, behind, headway over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
always behind
From a shortlist containing Etching, Spring Breeze, My Legal Eagle and Tell The Trees, we will side with Etching. Etching is now back to a winning mark and, having won over this trip, certainly looks one for the shortlist today following a seasonal pipe-opener, and given the fact that his stable is now showing signs of better form. Spring Breeze is not far above a winning mark and, even though Madiba holds him on recent all-weather form, gets respect from us here on Turf. My Legal Eagle is another that is competitively weighted, but Paradise Flight and Red Sun possibly have a bit to prove now from revised marks. Scurra is quite consistent but rarely wins, while Mythical King is trying a new trip and has not won on the Flat since 2001, although that win came here. From the Martin Pipe stable, Tell The Trees, a seller win on the Flat last summer, has to be respected, but for the selection, we return to Etching.
Paradise Flight (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (8-12) Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Sharadi (9-5) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Red Sun 11-2 (9-8) Led, headed after 2f, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out, 8th of 9, 22l behind Best Port (9-0) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) frm in Jun.
Spring Breeze 10-3fav (9-5) Pushed along to chase leaders, led after 2f, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 9l behind Best Port (9-0) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) frm in Jun.
Madiba 14-1 (8-6) Held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 11, 29l behind Mersey Sound (7-12) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Etching (USA) 20-1 (8-4) Held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 15l behind Montecito (8-3) at Haydock 1m 4f fll hcp (4) gf.
Turner 11-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well final furlong, 5th of 18, 1 1/2l behind Wahchi (10-5) at Pontefract 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Tell The Trees 6-4fav (8-2) Tracked leader, ridden to lead approaching 2f out, clear final furlong, won at Catterick 2m sll (G) gf in Aug beating Bold Blade (8-10) by 4l, 8 ran.
Scurra 3-1jt-fav (9-1) In touch, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, no impression, 7th of 14, 15l behind Next Flight (8-11) at Hamilton 1m 5f app hcp (6) gs in Jun.
Beaver Lodge (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Always behind, 8th of 12, 20l behind Shush (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jun.
Phoenix Eye 14-1 (9-1) Prominent, pushed along over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 16, 5l behind Hilltime (8-12) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (6) frm in Jun.
Sarn 12-1 (10-0) Slowly into stride and behind, ridden over 3f out, some headway, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 12l behind Top Style (10-12) at Hamilton 1m 5f ldy rds hcp (6) gs in Jun.
My Legal Eagle (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Mid-division, driven and stayed on same pace final 2f, 5th of 11, 4l behind Empangeni (8-0) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Mythical King (IRE) 14-1 (7-11) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, headway on inside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Masterman Ready (9-1) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
