reared start, soon close up, ridden to chase winner approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, one pace over 1f out
in touch, driven along to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
prominent over 3f
raced along on far side, on terms until ridden and weakened inside final 2f
outpaced in rear until moderate effort on outside inside final 2f, never dangerous
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase leader inside final 2f, led over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, readily
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out, eased when no chance final furlong
in touch on outside, ridden one pace, no impression final 2f
led, ridden and swerved badly left, hit rail over 1f out, soon headed and nor recover
raced on outside, prominent over 3f
The vote here goes to Nisr, with his biggest dangers reckoned to be Ballybunion and Turn Around. There is no escaping the claims of Nisr in this race. Best in on official ratings, his last three runs rate in the 70-plus bracket, and any one of those efforts would put him in with a very good chance today. He has clearly had problems but, all being well today, is the one to beat. Turn Around's best form has so far come on the all-weather, and two runs here have not been that special, although they have come at 10 and seven furlongs. There is no doubt that his best form, though, makes him a leading player here from what could be a good draw. Ballybunion arrives here in good heart, and the step up from five furlongs last time, will suit. The bottom line is that the remainder will have to improve on what they have so far shown in order to be competitive of, although I Wish and Kallista's Pride might represent some each-way value and Alphun, who is one of three in the race wearing first-time headgear today, is a lightly-raced Brian Meehan runner that could be open to some improvement. Overall, though, it is hard to get away from Nisr, and his opponents might just find that to be the case today.
Ballybunion (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Mid-division, headway approaching final furlong, ran on inside final furlong, not quite reach leaders, 4th of 14, 1/2l behind Linda Green (8-12) at Bath 5f stk 0-60 (6) gf.
Nisr 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders on stand side, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 2l behind General Feeling (9-2) at Windsor 6f app hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Spinetail Rufous (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Chased leaders for 5f, 11th of 18, 9l behind Lucid Dreams (10-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp (6) gf.
Belle Largesse 100-1 (7-10) Raced wide behind and never dangerous, 12th of 13, 19l behind Cape St Vincent (8-7) at Bath 6f hcp (4) gf in May.
Weet Watchers 8-1 (9-5) Led, headed over 4f out, remained handy, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 19l behind Stamford Blue (8-9) at Leicester 6f sll (6) sft in May.
In Dream's (IRE) 33-1 (9-6) Always towards rear, tailed off, 15th of 17, 24l behind San Deng (9-8) at Salisbury 1m 3yo hcp (6) gf.
Kallista's Pride 12-1 (8-4) Held up rear, effort over 1f out, no impression, 8th of 9, 3l behind Intriguing Glimpse (9-2) at Lingfield 5f hcp (5) gf.
Baytown Flyer 20-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on same pace, 7th of 15, 2l behind Enjoy The Buzz (9-6) at Brighton 6f hcp (6) gf.
I Wish 5-1jt-fav (9-2) Held up rear, brief effort over 1f out, 7th of 11, 6l behind Kallista's Pride (8-13) at Bath 6f sll (6) frm.
Alphun (IRE) 16-1 (8-8) Led far side group to 2f out, weakened quickly, 7th of 9, 10l behind Bluff (8-8) at Folkestone 7f stk 0-70 (5) gf.
Azeezah 10-1 (9-3) Raced wide, in touch, hampered over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 9, 9l behind Cloann (9-8) at Brighton 6f 3yo hcp (6) frm.
Turn Around 7-1 (9-4) Chased far side leader until weakened rapidly over 2f out, last of 9, 26l behind Bluff (8-8) at Folkestone 7f stk 0-70 (5) gf.
Yamato Pink 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 15, 11l behind Lucid Dreams (9-9) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) gf.
