mid-division, ridden and some headway over 2f out, one-paced final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f otu, weakened over 1f out (saddle slipped)
in touch, soon pushed along, ridden 5f out, weakened over 3f out
mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong
led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, stayed on but not troubled winner
towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on
mid-division, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, switched wide over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer
badly hampered soon after start, always behind
led after 1f, headed over 5f out, led again 3f out, ridden over 1f out, eased close home
in touch, led over 5f out, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
hampered soon after start, mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened well inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, one-paced final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
behind, ridden 3f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reached leaders
David Nicholls sets punters a poser here by saddling three runners, all of whom have claims. Topweight Omaha City has shown signs of recapturing his old form since joining the stable from Brian Gubby, while True Night and Locombe Hill have won their last five starts between them. However, none of the three are particularly well berthed and we prefer to look elsewhere. Mick Channon's horses are running well at present so it would be no surprise to see Digital make a bold bid from stall seven, while Invader would have claims from stall six if able to reproduce the form shown when a close third in the Royal Hunt Cup. Alafzar won well here on Thursday and has to be respected again, as does recent Ripon winner Deceitful. But in a very competitive race we give our vote to the Nick Littmoden-trained Peruvian Chief. Admittedly the son of Wolfhound has been finding at least one too good in recent outings but they have been over sprint trips and it may be this longer trip will bring about an improvement of form. A winner over seven furlongs on the all-weather as a two-year-old it is surprising how little he has been campaigned over the trip since and with a draw in stall one to help he gets the TEAMtalk vote.
