in touch, headway going well to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden and stayed on same pace final furlong
soon led on rail, ridden and edged right from over 1f out, narrowly headed 100 yards out, rallied gamely under pressure to regain lead last stride
held up in touch, one pace when not clear run briefly over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
held up towards rear, no impression final 2f
prominent, chased winner over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, narrow lead 100 yards out, headed final stride
held up in rear, headway on outside 2f out, kept on into 4th and one pace final furlong
chased winner until ridden over 2f out and soon weakened
chased leaders on rail, pushed along halfway, driven 2f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, never reached leaders
JOHNSTOWN LAD can follow up a recent success though we expect We Have A Dream and Reject to give him plenty to think about. Daniel Loughnane's charge won well at Bath the other day and the yard have enjoyed happy times with their raids across the Irish Sea with seven winners and eight seconds from 35 runners this season. We Have A Dream is always dangerous under an easy lead. The handicapper is gradually upping the ante with another 2lb rise for a near miss at Epsom. William Haggas' season has picked up over the last few weeks so it would be wrong to reject the idea of Reject winning this. Especially as he was punted heavily at Lingfield last time out. Diddums fell foul of the non-triers rule last time. Prior to that, he had won well at the course and distance. Finnegan McCool has come down the weights somewhat having campaigned unsuccessfully off marks in the high-80's last term. Solemn has to reverse form with our selection on their Bath meeting and a draw of one is hardly ideal under the circumstances. Sophie Doyle appears to get on well with Forest Dane so an each-way interest is far from the most ridiculous betting option. Having considered the alternatives, Johnstown Lad gets the nod.
Johnstown Lad (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead last strides, won at Bath 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Jordaura (9-4) by ns, 15 ran.
We Have A Dream 11-4 (8-7) Led, ridden and headed 1f out, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, kept on, headed post, 2nd of 7, shd behind Idle Power (8-6) at Epsom Downs 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Mogok Ruby 33-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 15th of 16, 16l behind Sarah's Art (8-7) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Silver Guest 16-1 (9-5) In rear, outpaced after 2f, never on terms, 4th of 6, 11l behind Leadenhall Lass (8-6) at Epsom Downs 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Arthur's Edge 9-1 (8-12) Soon prominent, chased leader over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 5l behind Captain Macarry (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) std.
Reject 5-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway between horses entering final furlong, ran on strongly towards finish, too much to do, 2nd of 9, hd behind Simple Rhythm (8-0) at Lingfield 6f 3yo app hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Finnegan McCool 14-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 12, 2l behind Triple Dream (8-13) at Bath 6f app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Diddums 3-1 (8-0) Held up, soon well behind, ridden halfway, never a factor, 5th of 6, 14l behind Leadenhall Lass (8-6) at Epsom Downs 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Solemn 5-1fav (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Johnstown Lad (9-5) at Bath 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Forest Dane 13-2 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Indian Skipper (9-10) at Folkestone 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
