held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong, took 3rd post, no impression with front pair
held up behind, outpaced over 2f out, never a threat
slowly into stride, raced keenly, recovered to dispute lead after 1f, ridden and lost place 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden inside final 2f, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair inside final furlong, lost 3rd post
mid-division, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, never threatened leaders
made most, driven 2f out, ridden inside final 100 yards, headed final strides
mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden to chase leader, stayed on well inside final furlong, led final strides
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never pace to challenge
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, lost place 1f out, faded inside final furlong
held up in rear, outpaced 2f out, never a threat
Equiano Springs won three times over this trip last year and should strip fitter for a recent reappearance at Catterick. Welliesinthewater is more than capable of making his presence felt in this company while Art Echo and King of Nepal were first and third in this race last year so have to go on the short-list. He Haw steps up in trip, however, while Portledge is still seeking a first victory on Turf. BLACK SALT remains unexposed and is worth another try over 7f with another winter on his back. He hasn’t raced since last July but ran well on his reappearance last year and could be well treated- market support would be significant. Noble Star may also be well handicapped and looks a danger but Acrux is only a plater.
Portledge (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, some headway on inside over 1f out, never going pace to reach leaders, 7th of 14, 4l behind Treacherous (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Hee Haw (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Behind, headway over 1f out, short of room inside final furlong, ridden and kept on final 100 yards, unable to challenge, 5th of 18, 4l behind Paddy Power (9-11) at York 6f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Equiano Springs 11-1 (8-8) Driven forward soon keen and prominent, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Scofflaw (8-8) at Catterick 7f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Noble Star (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Treacherous (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Jun.
King of Nepal 11-1 (8-11) Held up last, never a factor, 7th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Sir Titan (9-3) at Goodwood 7f hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Big Storm Coming 16-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, not clear run from over 2f out, ridden and switched left over 1f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Rockwood (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Welliesinthewater (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Last to break, held up in rear, switched right 3f out, soon switched left, headway over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, not able to get on terms, squeezed up close home, 5th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Flying North (9-7) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Acrux 9-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, smooth headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Redcar 7f stks (5) gf in Jun beating God Willing (9-7) by 1l, 11 ran.
Fieldsman (USA) 6-1 (9-8) Held up in last pair, pushed along 3f out, headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to threaten, 4th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Cryptonite (8-9) at Redcar 1m hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Black Salt 16-1 (9-1) Led early, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 3l behind Kaeso (9-0) at Doncaster 6f hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Art Echo 9-1 (9-0) Chased leaders over 4f, 9th of 16, 10 1/2l behind Firmdecisions (9-4) at Leicester 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
