held up in last trio, some late moderate headway, never involved
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden and went 3rd inside final 2f, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, took keen hold, raced wide and soon tracking leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened under pressure over 2f out
slowly into strdie, held up in rear, headway on inside 3f out, ridden and no impression disputing 3rd 2f out, weakened into 4th inside final 2f
tracked leader until 3f out, chased leading pair and soon pushed along, ridden over 2f out, weakened into 5th well over 1f out
held up in last trio, never involved
led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, chased winner, one pace and no impression entering final furlong
mid-division, weakened 2f out
mid-division on inside, pushed along 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 3f out, ridden to lead inside final 2f, clear inside final furlong, stayed on strongly, eased close home
Plenty have experience around Epsom and win in their turn but DARK RED is the exception arriving on a winning roll from a yard which remains in tremendous form. He's already scored this season over course and distance in the City and Suburban and, crucially, did so on soft ground which is forecast again. The handicapper will eventually exact revenge unless he progresses into black type company but he's only up 5lb for a doughty success at Chester and can complete the four-timer. He should confirm Chester placings with Felix De Vega on these terms and What About Carlo, a course and distance winner, may prove a tougher opponent as he's much better off with the selection on running here earlier this season. Mark Johnston, always feared in such contests, makes life hard for the backer by firing three darts with Fire Fighting, Master Of Finance and Sennockian Star preferred in that order. Darshini disappointed when a beaten favourite at Chester last time but Sir Michael Stoute has a good record in competitive Epsom handicaps.
Fire Fighting (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 7, 19l behind Time Test (9-5) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in May.
What About Carlo (FR) 6-1 (9-7) Missed break, in rear, ridden 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Dark Red (8-11) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in May.
Master Of Finance (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Tracked winner, ridden to challenge over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Revolutionist (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in May.
Dark Red (IRE) 11-2 (8-11) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge when edged left 1f out, soon ridden, led narrowly inside final 100 yards, held on, won at Chester 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in May beating Felix De Vega (8-11) by nk, 11 ran.
Felix De Vega (IRE) 13-2 (8-11) Led, driven over 1f out, ridden when hard pressed inside final furlong, headed narrowly inside final 100 yards, kept on, just held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Dark Red (8-11) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in May.
Darshini 4-1fav (8-12) Tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden inside final 2f, lost place when not much room and hampered 1f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong, 10th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Dark Red (8-11) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in May.
Gold Prince (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, driven and rallied towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Interconnection (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in May.
Pasaka Boy 33-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, tracked leader 1f, tracked leaders, went 2nd again 4f out until 2f out, chased leaders, ridden edged right and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 12 3/4l behind King Bolete (9-5) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in May.
Sennockian Star 12-1 (8-8) Tracked leader until 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 7, 13l behind John Reel (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in May.
Imshivalla (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Chased leading trio, pushed along inside final 3f, weakened 2f out, 8th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Light And Shade (9-3) at Ascot 1m hcp fll (2) gf in May.
