in touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra
towards rear, lost touch over 3f out, never on terms
held up last, ridden 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
steadied start, pulled hard mid-division, shaken up and headway 3f out, challenged over 1f out, slightly hampered and every chance final furlong, no extra close home
led and set fast pace, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, shaken up over 2f out, switched right and headway to lead just inside final furlong, ran on well close home
A decent handicap here and one where Padlocked can get the better of Guiseppe Verdi, Mr Aviator and Zoom One. The selection has begun well, winning at Kempton and then on turf at Lingfield, and this step up in trip looks ideal. From a yard in form he can complete a hat trick. Guiseppe Verdi is another hat-trick seeker and was well suited by this trip when winning at Beverley last time. A 7lb rise here will make this much trickier now and he is just opposed. Mr Aviator may be a bigger danger. He won here over 9f last time and the step up should suit him. He loves this ground and he won't be far away. Of the others, Zoom One is perhaps the pick. He too has course form to his name and the extra distance will suit, though he has to overcome a lengthy absence and may just need this, so we prefer Padlocked to score.
Padlocked (IRE) 15-8fav (8-10) Tracked leader, challenging from 2f out, led inside final furlong, quickened clear, won at Lingfield 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) gf in May beating Tetouan (8-9) by 1l, 9 ran.
One To Follow 9-2 (9-2) Led, headed over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 9, 14l behind Empire Day (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 2f 2yo lst stk (1) sft in Oct.
Mr Aviator (USA) 8-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, switched to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon in command, won at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) gd in May beating Al Khaleej (9-2) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Nordic Affair 25-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 22l behind Metaphoric (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Guiseppe Verdi (USA) 13-8fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, headway to lead over 1f out, ridden out final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in May beating Dana Music (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Zoom One 7-1 (9-2) Made all, kept on gamely, driven out, won at Goodwood 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept beating Aegis (9-0) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Aureate 9-4fav (9-2) Held up in touch, led after 4f, ridden over 1f out, headed towards finish, not quicken, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Secret Tune (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Monachello (USA) 9-1 (9-3) Took keen hold early, held up on inside, ridden 3f out, no impression final 2f, 9th of 10, 9l behind Mujahaz (8-6) at Newbury 1m 3f 3yo hcp (4) gs in May.
Rock Anthem (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Leptis Magna (9-2) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp (5) gs in May.
