mid-division on outside, effort and edged left from 2f out, soon ridden, went 2nd briefly entering final furlong, continued to hang left, unable to quicken after
held up in rear, ridden halfway, no headway final 2f
led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, chased winner to entering final furlong, weakened
soon outpaced towards rear, ridden halfway, ran on inside final furlong
behind, driven halfway, headway and switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened approaching final furlong
pulled hard early, held up, badly hampered on rail over 4f out, running on when badly hampered on rail again over 1f out, not recover
outpaced in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
tracked leader, led inside final 2f, ridden clear final furlong, easily
slowly into stride, took keen hold, always in rear
in touch on outside, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, not clear run and switched right 2f out, ran on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner
behind, driven along on outside halfway, never dangerous
towards rear, moderate headway final 2f
Bahamian Pirate is the pick in the finale, with Song Of Passion, Commando Scott and Dhaular Dhar seen as the main dangers. Dandy Nicholls has no less than five runners here, and it is Bahamian Pirate that is expected to prove the best of them. The 12-year-old is nearing a well-earned retirement now, and it would be nice to see him capture this decent prize, but sentiment apart, his last two outings give cause for encouragement. Second in a big field on soft ground at Ascot last month, he then failed narrowly to give weight to My Gacho at Thirsk, and looks all set to make a bold bid to give his trainer a sixth win in this event in the past 10 years, en-route to the Wokingham. Song Of Passion is now 4lb better off with Dhaular Dhah for the length-and-a-half that separated them at Chester, and so there should be little between the pair, while Newmarket winner Commando Scott should go well with the ground very much in his favour. They appear to be the main contenders then, but given the record of Dandy Nicholls in this event, we have to go for one of his, and do so with Bahamian Pirate.
Fantasy Believer 50-1 (9-4) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon beaten, 17th of 28, 21l behind Wise Dennis (8-12) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Dhaular Dhar (IRE) 7-2 (8-9) Held up, ridden to chase leaders well over 1f out, kept on well final furlong, 4th of 7, 3/4l behind Phluke (8-7) at Catterick 7f hcap (2) gf in May.
Tournedos (IRE) 11-1 (9-10) In touch, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong, 9th of 16, 4l behind Terentia (9-6) at York 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Beaver Patrol (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 5th of 28, 7l behind Wise Dennis (8-12) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Bahamian Pirate (USA) 5-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 13, hd behind My Gacho (8-11) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May.
Pacific Pride 25-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, weakened towards finish, 7th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Terentia (9-6) at York 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Indian Trail 33-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 13, 5l behind Wyatt Earp (8-8) at York 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Turnkey 33-1 (9-1) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 13, 8l behind Wyatt Earp (8-8) at York 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Song of Passion (IRE) 7-1 (8-8) Led 1f, tracked leader after, led again briefly well over 1f out, soon ridden, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Dhaular Dhar (8-12) at Chester 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Lethal 6-1 (8-8) Went right start, soon chasing leaders, ridden 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Rowe Park (8-6) at Goodwood 5f hcap (2) gd in May.
Guto 20-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 8th of 16, 4l behind Terentia (9-6) at York 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Commando Scott (IRE) 17-2 (8-4) Keen, held up in touch, led entering final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gs in May beating Trafalgar Bay (8-9) by 1l, 12 ran.
Idle Power (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Chased leaders 4f, 18th of 21, 21l behind Zidane (8-12) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May.
Prince Namid 16-1 (8-10) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 16, 2l behind Terentia (9-6) at York 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Lucayos 12-1 (8-11) Raced far side, made all, ridden 2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at Brighton 6f hcap (4) sft in May beating Pawan (8-9) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Pic Up Sticks 9-1 (9-0) Squeezed out start, soon in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 18, 9l behind Orpsie Boy (9-1) at Salisbury 6f hcap (4) gf in May.
Ice Planet 6-1 (8-13) Held up, kept on one pace final furlong, never dangerous, 10th of 21, 8l behind Zidane (8-12) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in May.