led, pressed from over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra towards finish
mid-division, headway when stumbled approaching 2f out, switched right and stayed on to take 3rd close home
held up in rear, headway when switched right entering final 2f, soon ridden, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish
tracked leader, ridden to challenge leader over 3f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on
mid-division, ridden and outpaced halfway, kept on under pressure final furlong
A competitive heat where WELLINGTON SQUARE may just have the edge over both Desert Dreamer and Victoria Sponge. The selection was doing all of his best work at the finish when scoring at Goodwood last time, and on winning last season he proved that he was also capable of following up, which is certainly a positive. A rise of 5lbs is not insurmountable for him and we will give him the nod. Desert Dreamer and Victoria Sponge are also last-time winners. The former scored over this trip at Chester and is also 5lbs higher today, but he has found it difficult from this sort of mark before and we can oppose. Victoria Sponge is rarely out of the frame and is another previous winner put up 5lbs for today's race after scoring at Goodwood. She may not have stopped progressing just yet and can give the selection most to do. Den's Gift is 2lbs higher than when beaten at Warwick and is going the wrong way in the handicap, but remains competitive, while Purus is on a decent mark on his old form, though recent efforts suggest he will have to wait longer for his next success. Wellington Square is selected here.
Den's Gift (IRE) 11-4fav (9-6) Always prominent, chased winner over 2f out, soon came stand side, ridden to take narrow lead 1f out, headed towards finish, ran on, 2nd of 10, hd behind Ocean Transit (8-12) at Warwick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Wellington Square 5-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway and switched left 2f out, chased leader entering final furlong, quickened and ran on to lead final strides, won at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun beating Kirk Michael (9-7) by hd, 13 ran.
Desert Dreamer (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway half way, led inside final furlong, held on well, won at Chester 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun beating Gallantry (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Prince Of Thebes (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Led, strongly pressed 2f out, kept on well until headed inside final furlong, well held when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2 3/4l behind Cool Hand Jake (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
Lodi (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Towards rear, short lived effort under pressure over 2f out, 9th of 13, 6l behind Wellington Square (9-6) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Purus (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Slightly awkward start, raced keenly tracking leaders, weakened 2f out, last of 10, 16l behind Ocean Transit (8-12) at Warwick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Victoria Sponge (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, ran on well, comfortably, won at Goodwood 7f flls hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun beating Balaagha (9-6) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Ivory Lace 5-2fav (9-7) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1l behind My Shadow (9-3) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Rocket Rob (IRE) 13-8fav (9-4) Slowly into stride, keen, soon chased leaders, came stand's side 3f out, ridden to lead and soon hung left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Cavendish Road (8-11) at Brighton 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fm in Jun.
