chased leader, headway and challenged well over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, challenged well over 1f out, led 1f out, pushed clear readily
held up in touch, pushed along 6f out, weakened 4f out
held up last, headway 6f out, ridden over 4f out and outpaced, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
led, ridden over 2f out and quickened, headed 1f out, no danger final furlong
Surprisingly there are no three-year-olds engaged in a race that is a recognised St Leger trial and First Venture is taken to follow up last year's success at the chief expense of Compton Bolter and Harlestone Grey. Sir Michael Stoute's charge was a most progressive stayer last season and took this event in some style twelve months ago before running below expectations in the St Leger on his final start of the year. The son of Polish Precedent made a pleasing belated return in late June and showed the benefit when running out a game winner of a conditions event at Newmarket on his latest start. The step up in trip will suit and, with conditions in his favour, he looks the one to beat. Compton Bolter is a smart performer at this level and landed a similar contest at Hamilton in May. The six-year-old was far from disgraced under a big weight in a valuable handicap here last time but his penalty will make life tougher. Harlestone Grey is a consistent stayer who deserves a crack at this grade but may prove vulnerable to the turn of foot that First Venture can produce at this trip.
