tracked leader, led over 2f out, edged left and ran on final furlong
close up, ridden to chase winner 2f out, no impression final furlong
in touch in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on to go 3rd over 1f out, never dangerous
keen set steady pace, quickened over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
The prospects of Avon River would be given a boost if Song To The Moon ran well in the previous race as Richard Hannon's charge was conceding lumps of weight when narrowly beaten here last week. Lang Shining, who won this last year, was five lengths behind and looks held while Lunar Promise was incredibly well handicapped when scoring at Beverley last time. Hermes made a promising start in soft conditions at Windsor but hasn't done so well on Fibresand subsequently so this can go to TROOPINGTHECOLOUR, who has bounced right back to form on Polytrack and had some very decent form on turf at the beginning of his career.
Troopingthecolour 15-2 (9-7) Always prominent, led 5f out, ridden 3f out, ran wide bend 2f out, edged left over 1f out, driven out, won at Kempton 1m 2f app hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun beating Nolecce (8-7) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Avon River 11-4fav (9-12) Keen tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, soon every chance, driven and hung left inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Song To The Moon (8-10) at Epsom Downs 1m clm stks (5) gf in Jun.
Lang Shining (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Keen in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 7, 5l behind Song To The Moon (8-10) at Epsom Downs 1m clm stks (5) gf in Jun.
Hermes 16-1 (9-3) In touch, weakened and hung left 2f out, 11th of 14, 37l behind Arch Fire (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gs in Jun.
Lunar Promise (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Held up mid-division, soon tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Jun beating Ay Tay Tate (9-8) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
