steadied start, took keen hold, held up in last pair, effort on rail 3f out, soon pushed along, never reached leaders and no impression final furlong
steadied start, held up in rear, promising headway on outside travelling well 3f out, pushed along inside final 2f, weakened soon after
held up in last trio, headway on outside 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong
raced keenly tracking leaders, smooth headway to challenge 2f out, 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up in 5th, headway between horses over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, not reach winner
tracked leading pair, pushed along over 2f out, shaken up and no extra inside final furlong
tracked leader, pushed along and every chance 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, lost 3rd inside final furlong, no extra soon after
soon led and set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace and lost 2nd towards finish
A couple of these missed the whole of last year including Berkshire. Paul Cole’s charge won a Group 3 at Newmarket when last seen at the track and has plenty to spare on these terms with the returning Kings Fete. But MASTER CARPENTER (NAP) separated higher-rated rivals than these when third to Cannock Chase in the Huxley at Chester earlier this month with Battalion back in fifth. Rod Millman’s charge has leading claims on that form and gets the vote. Educate finished runner-up in last year’s renewal but this looks tougher while Decorated Knight has yet to win over further than a mile. Black Cherry and Bossy Guest may have stamina limitations.
Battalion (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led inside final 2f, edged left, ridden 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost place final 100 yards, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Cannock Chase (9-7) at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May.
Berkshire (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, headway when switched right and not clear run over 1f out, effort entering final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead final strides, won at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct beating Mutakayyef (8-13) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Bossy Guest (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Keen held up in rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 7th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Mahsoob (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Apr.
Decorated Knight 7-1 (9-0) Raced centre, tracked leader, every chance well over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/4l behind Gm Hopkins (9-0) at Ascot 1m lst stks (1) gd in Apr.
Educate 9-2 (9-7) In rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 9, 9 3/4l behind Storm Rock (8-7) at Leicester 1m hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Kings Fete 12-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 11 3/4l behind Kingston Hill (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 7f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Master Carpenter (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to press for 2nd on outside throughout final furlong, no impression with winner, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Cannock Chase (9-7) at Chester 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in May.
Black Cherry 11-4fav (9-7) Led, 5 lengths clear halfway, hard driven when challenged over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Blond Me (9-7) at Goodwood 1m lst fll stks (1) gd in Apr.
