tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, headed and no extra final 50 yards
led narrowly, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, weakened close home and lost 3rd near finish
with leader, ran green, slightly outpaced over 1f out, ran on to lead final 50 yards (better for race)
always outpaced in rear, never a factor
started very slowly, in rear, kept on final 2f, never a danger
started slowly, always behind, never going pace
went right start, always outpaced behind
slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, effort inside final 2f, no impression 1f out, kept on to take 3rd near finish
The short list contains Billy Dane, Dee Jay Wells and Five A Side, with the vote going to Dee Jay Wells. Billy Dane's form stacks up in the context of this race so expect a bold show. Ditto re Dee Jay Wells and, given that he has proven that he can act on this kind of track, he gets the vote. From the in-form Mark Johnston yard, the 28,000 guineas purchase, Five A Side, gets a good mention, but Our Herbie probably needs to improve on his all-weather improved effort last, and Pagan Rules needs to keep the improvement coming, although he has shown promise. Revisionist looks the Hannon second string, while Zelos improved on the all-weather last time and has to be given some thought, a similar comment applying to Sweet Lilly. Overall, though, Dee Jay Wells gets the vote.
Billy Dane (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Held up, pushed along over 2f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, staying on towards finish, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Champery (9-5) at Beverley 7f nov stk (4) frm.
Dee Jay Wells 4-1 (9-3) Led, headed after 1f, stayed prominent, ridden and every chance throughout final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Tencendur (9-3) at Brighton 7f 2yo mdn aut (6) frm.
Five A Side Lomitas colt, half-brother to winners up to 1m2f.
Numerical (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, 9th of 11, 11l behind Dubai Magic (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Our Herbie 20-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Capannina (8-12) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol.
Pagan Rules (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Dwelt, behind, ridden on outside 3f out, no impression, 7th of 9, 7l behind The Old Fella (9-3) at Epsom 7f 2yo mdn aut (4) gd.
Sweet Lilly 16-1 (9-0) Started slowly, behind, headway 2f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Sesmen (9-0) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol.
Zelos (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Capannina (8-12) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol.