narrow lead and pressed, headed 3f out, driven along and chased winner after, kept on inside final furlong, readily held
tracked leading trio, headway travelling strongly to lead 3f out, in command when edged right final furlong, pushed out, readily
started slowly, reluctant early stages in rear, ridden along halfway, modest headway 2f out, went well held 3rd final furlong
in last pair, brief modest effort on inside 2f out
pressed leader, pushed along over 4f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leading pair, driven and no impression 2f out, lost poor 3rd final furlong
The John Hills-trained MOUNT ATHOS is bound to be popular with backers following his eased down 11 length win at Haydock over 1m2f last week and he is hard to oppose over the extra two furlongs, even under a 6lb penalty, and gets the vote ahead of Il Portico and Baltimore Clipper. Paul Cole's colt has shown promise in his last four starts but remains a maiden and he may again have to settle for minor honours. The John Hills-trained Baxter has shown little sign of ability, while Jamie Poulton's Land Of Plenty has been well held in his last couple of starts and looks best left out of calculations. Pollan Bay was beaten a long way out in a seller on his reappearance and of more interest may be Mick Channon's Il Portico, who ran much better when a close up third behind Dubawi King at Hamilton last month. Mount Athos has an obvious chance following his win at Newbury last week though and is hard to oppose.
Baltimore Clipper (USA) 12-1 (9-0) In touch on rail, effort and carried head high over 2f out, driven and stayed on to 3rd last half furlong, never able to challenge, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Heart Of Hearts (8-9) at Newbury 1m 4f mdn stks (4) gf.
Mount Athos (IRE) 3-1 (8-11) Led 2f at steady pace, tracked leaders, went 2nd 4f out, led over 3f out, 4 lengths clear and travelling strongly 2f out, very easily, won at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Grams And Ounces (8-9) by 11l, 8 ran.
Il Portico 11-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway 5f out, switched left and headway well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Dubawi King (8-8) at Hamilton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Pollan Bay (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Took keen hold in mid-division, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 13l behind Dane Cottage (8-6) at Warwick 1m 3f 3yo sll (6) gf.
Baxter (IRE) 66-1 (8-5) Behind, ridden halfway, soon struggling, 10th of 14, 11l behind Stargazy (8-9) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-55 (6) gf in Jun.
Land Of Plenty (IRE) 66-1 (8-3) Held up towards rear, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 11, 27l behind Timocracy (9-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol in Jun.