rider removed blind late slowly away, in touch after 1f, ridden and weakened over 1f out
keen led early, in touch, headway over 1f out, effort between horses inside final furlong, pushed along and ran on to lead post
soon led, headed over 2f out, ridden to lead again 1f out, caught post
in touch in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on go 3rd near finish
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on same pace and lost 3rd near finish
Efistorm carried his good form in plating company over to a handicap at Windsor last time when winning with more in hand than the narrow winning margin would suggest. He's sure to go close and recent Goodwood winner Sermons Mount should also figure with a similar effort. Grandmas Dream has proved best over the minimum trip so far and preference is for RUM KING. He returned from a lay-off with an outing at Sligo on Tuesday for a new trainer and looks to have every chance judged on his best form earlier this year for Richard Hannon.
Rum King (USA) 14-1 (9-4) To post early, in rear, kept on without threatening under pressure straight, 6th of 9, 7l behind Royal Intruder (9-4) at Sligo 6f clm stks.
Efistorm 3-1 (9-7) Soon steadied rear, still last when not clear run on rails over 1f out, gap appeared entering final furlong, pushed along and strong run inside final furlong, led near finish, won at Windsor 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Silver Turn (9-2) by nk, 9 ran.
Sermons Mount (USA) 16-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, just held on, won at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Seamus Shindig (8-13) by ns, 9 ran.
Grandmas Dream 13-2 (9-3) Dwelt and hampered start, towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 9, 3l behind Fair Passion (9-7) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Dream Number (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Behind on rail when hampered over 4f out, never on terms after, 10th of 11, 14l behind Titus Gent (8-13) at Windsor 6f app hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Mottley Crewe 14-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, last of 5, 6l behind Amoya (9-5) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.