close up on inside, ridden over 2f out, outpaced approaching final furlong
pressed leader, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, stayed on again final furlong, not trouble leaders
narrow leader, ridden and headed 2f out, not quicken well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, effort on wide outside and hung left under pressure over 1f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, led 2f out, ridden three lengths clear final furlong, held on well
slowly into stride, went right start, soon recovered and pulled hard in touch, behind final 2f
held up and behind, not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right, bumped over 1f out, strong run final 100 yards, not reach winner
After a comfortable success at Brighton on his most recent start Thundergod is bound to have plenty of supporters in his attempt to follow up here. However, that victory came in a National Hunt jockey's race, when Ian Balding's runner was ridden by Tony McCoy, so the three-year-old may have been flattered by the margin of victory and off a 5lb higher mark he faces no easy task. Topweight Stars In Her Eyes has slipped to a favourable mark but has shown little sign of encouragement recently so may be best watched for the time being, a comment that also applies to Mick Channon's Hairy Night. The lightly-raced Ben Hur is open to more improvement than most and may appreciate the drop in trip having failed to stay 1m2f last time but more solid claims are held by Wood Street and Concer Eto. Both horses have similar claims having been successful the time before last, both were beaten off higher marks last time on unfavourably soft ground and now return to a course and ground that should suit. It is difficult to choose between the two but narrow preference, and the TEAMtalk vote, is for Wood Street. Amanda Bowlby's horse is only 4lbs higher than when winning over course and distance and is re-united here with Steve Drowne.
