in touch, driven along 2f out, soon beaten
led, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
slowly to stride and behind, effort over 2f out, no impression
held up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
held up in rear, switched left and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, not reach winner
towards rear, never dangerous
held up, headway on outer over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led approaching final furlong, ridden and kept on
Several hold chances in this competitive classified stakes. But the vote goes to Nautical, whose recent form is solid enough for him to get the nod over Rezzago and Rydane, who have both got their act together well at present. Blue Tomato is another worth noting in the betting, as he is very well treated at present and should give a good account now that he is dropped to a more appropriate trip. Milton Bradley's charge was hammered by the handicapper after a successful two-year-old campaign and only now looks to be shaking off the effects. His shrewd trainer can find a race for him somewhere along the line and he is worth noting from here. Rydane won well at Catterick earlier in the month and looks capable of getting involved again at this level. He is a versatile sort that looks a straightforward ride for David Allan to look forward to teaming up with. And, as he has gone well here in the past, he should be carefully monitored in the betting. Similar comments apply to Rezzago, who is unbeaten from two starts this term. He obviously still retains a fair amount of ability and should not be too far away granted a clear run. However, Nautical has really gone from strength to strength this term and fully deserved his share of the spoils when dead-heating with Sir Edwin Landseer at Windsor just over a fortnight ago. The in-form Robert Winston takes over the riding duties tonight and his will to win can again be the deciding factor if Nautical needs his mind making up for him near the finish.
Ryedane (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Behind, outpaced halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong to lead close home, won at Catterick 5f 3yo hcp (4) gf beating Wise Wager (8-6) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Blue Tomato 12-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, pulled hard, headway to go prominent over 4f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Master Robbie (9-9) at Leicester 7f hcp (4) gf.
Caustic Wit (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Prominent 4f, 16th of 17, 19l behind Borderlescott (8-0) at Haydock 6f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Convince (USA) 8-1 (8-13) Raced stand side, slowly into stride, chased leaders over 3f, 13th of 15, 11l behind Sierra Vista (9-5) at Newmarket 5f hcp (4) gs.
Mandarin Spirit (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Held up, hard ridden over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 7th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Foley Millennium (9-6) at Warwick 5f hcp (4) gf.
Nautical 8-1 (9-8) Mid-division, not clear run from 2f out, pushed through final furlong, ran on to dead-heat post, won at Windsor 6f hcp (5) gf deadheating with Sir Edwin Landseer (9-6), 16 ran.
Pax 7-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway on inside when hit rail over 2f out, soon ridden and beaten, 10th of 13, 10l behind Trojan Flight (8-13) at Catterick 6f hcp (4) frm in May.
Rezzago (USA) 7-2jt-fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 6f hcp (5) pol beating Simpsons Mount (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
