took keen hold, midfield in touch, ridden and slightly short of room 2f out, soon switched left, weakened inside final furlong
close up in touch, ridden to press leader over 1f out where led, stayed on well to assert close home, readily
always in rear, ridden and outpaced 3f out, weakened entering final furlong
led, pressed for lead 2f out where ridden, headed entering final furlong, held on for 2nd near finish
midfield in touch, driven and outpaced over 2f out, soon weaked
midfield in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, moved into 3rd close home, nearest finish
prominent, ridden over 2f out, in touch with leaders entering final furlong, no extra close home
took keen hold, edged right leaving stalls, midfield in touch, slightly hampered 2f out, soon ridden, weakened entering final furlong
slowly away, always in rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened into 3rd entering final furlong, no extra close home
held up in rear, ridden and no impression 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
ALMATY STAR was only beaten a neck by Wallop, rated 98, at Kempton last month and that’s the strongest form on offer. Surrey Noir improved to finish second at Chelmsford and is preferred to the more-exposed Nottingham third McCauley's Tavern but Lady Chapel and Kaidu may finish closer today and the returning Dark Kestrel is worth a second glance having had a breathing operation since last in action.
Almaty Star (IRE) 5-2 (9-4) Midfield on inner, ridden over 3f out, switched left over 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong, kept on final 110yds but always held, 2nd of 10, nk behind Wallop (9-4) at Kempton 6f stks (5) pol in Apr.
Dark Kestrel (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Dwelt, towards rear, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 14, 7 1/2l behind Zoology (9-7) at Yarmouth 6f stks (4) gs in Sep.
De La Hoya (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Dwelt, outpaced, last of 7, 12 1/4l behind Tyke (9-4) at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Apr.
Kaidu (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Midfield, shaken up over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Desert Cop (9-1) at Kempton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Lil Wade (IRE) Dandy Man gelding out of Wu Zetian.
McCauley's Tavern (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Cased leaders, challenged and led narrowly when edged left 2f out, soon headed, edged back right and lost 2nd over 1f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, beaten when slightly hampered towards finis, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Sera Dawn (8-13) at Nottingham 5f stks (2) sft in Apr.
Surrey Noir (FR) 2-1fav (9-5) Close up, headway when not clear run and switched right over 1f out, ridden and ran on towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Poweredbylove (9-0) at Chelmsford City 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Apr.
Whiskey Priest (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace and beaten over 1f out, 4th of 9, 7 1/2l behind William Dewhirst (9-7) at Thirsk 6f mdn stks (5) hvy in May.
Beanie Blue 80-1 (9-2) Dwelt and lost few lengths start, soon behind, detached over 4f out, tailed off, last of 15, 22 1/2l behind Destined (9-2) at Redcar 6f fll stks (5) gs in May.
Kynsa (IRE) 50-1 (9-1) In rear, never on terms, 7th of 10, 9 1/2l behind Cruise (9-1) at Southwell 6f mdn stks (5) pol in May.
Lady Chapel (IRE) 3-1fav (9-2) Front rank, ridden along over 2f out, weakened gradually from over 1f out, 10th of 15, 8 3/4l behind Destined (9-2) at Redcar 6f fll stks (5) gs in May.
Boxing Alex 12-1 (9-7) Led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, weakened quickly, 11th of 12, 28 1/4l behind Oj Lifestyle (9-7) at Newbury 7f mdn stks (4) gf in Aug.
