tracked leaders, squeezed through to lead approaching final furlong, ran on well
reared start, held up in rear, switched right over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and no impression when not much room over 1f out, weakened
in touch on outside, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
behind when hampered over 3f out, well behind final 3f
made most, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, one pace
held up in rear, headway on outside 1f out, ridden to press leaders when hung right just inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
chased leaders on outside, ridden and close up over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
with leaders, ridden and edged right and weakened final furlong
with leaders, pushed along halfway, weakening when hampered 2f out
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up in rear, hampered over 3f out, effort on inside 2f out, keeping on same pace when hampered and eased just inside final furlong
towards rear when hampered over 3f out, soon well behind
chased leaders over 3f
reared start, behind on outside, brief effort over 2f out, soon beaten
took keen hold and held up in rear, good headway on wide outside over 1f out, carried slightly right just inside final furlong, soon chased winner, ran on
in mid-division until weakened 2f out
behind, headway on wide outside over 1f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong
The vote here goes to Eisteddfod, with his main dangers reckoned to be Out After Dark, Texas Gold and High Reach. Eisteddfod will click in one of these big sprints some time soon this season, and maybe it will today. He's a very good handicapper and, having run well from possibly the worst of the draw at York last time, he can go well from a better box today. Out After Dark stepped up to score at Beverley last time and, even though he has been penalised, comes here in good heart and, as an improving sprinter, has to be respected. Loaderfun was promising last season but might need his seasonal return, while Texas Gold was noted staying on behind Whistler here last time and the extra furlong can see him improve on that. The evergreen Halmahera has been so well that connections have decided to bring him out of retirement this season, and it would be no surprise to see this course and distance winner go well, along with High Reach, who probably has some more improvement in him, and Andrew Balding's speedball Spanish Ace. However, for the winner, we return to Eisteddfod.
Eisteddfod 7-1 (8-13) In touch, led over 2f out, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, one pace inside, 5th of 19, 3 1/2l behind Soldier's Tale (8-12) at York 6f hcp (2) gs.
Halmahera (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Look Here's Carol (8-8) at Haydock 6f stk (3) gs.
High Reach 16-1 (9-2) Raced stands' side, mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 15th of 30, 7l behind Indian Trail (8-6) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Texas Gold 6-1 (9-3) Checked leaders, pushed along 2f out, stayed on same pace, 6th of 10, 2l behind Whistler (8-10) at Goodwood 5f hcp (2) gs.
King's Caprice 10-3fav (8-8) With leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 4l behind Onlytime Will Tell (8-11) at Newbury 6f hcp (C1) sft in Oct.
Venables (USA) 33-1 (8-13) Raced stands' side, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 29th of 30, 17l behind Indian Trail (8-6) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Out After Dark 6-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and headway when switched left over 1f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Beverley 5f hcp (4) gd beating Bonne de Fleur (9-2) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Connect 12-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Malapropism (8-7) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (C1) sft in Oct.
Loaderfun (IRE) 2-5fav (9-5) Chased winner, pushed along 2f out, soon ridden and outpaced, no chance when eased inside final furlong, last of 2, 16l behind Country Rambler (8-12) at Ripon 6f nov stk (D2) gf in Sept.
Goodenough Mover 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 3l behind Who's Winning (8-12) at Newmarket 6f hcp (3) gd.
Caveral 66-1 (8-8) Chased leaders to halfway, 13th of 19, 12l behind Soldier's Tale (8-12) at York 6f hcp (2) gs.
Glaramara 16-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 18, 5l behind Sew'n'so Character (8-7) at Chester 1m hcp (2) gs.
Idle Power (IRE) 20-1 (8-2) Raced centre, prominent over 4f, weakened 2f out, 13th of 18, 15l behind Iffraaj (8-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp (2) gd.
Spanish Ace 5-1 (9-7) Stumbled badly leaving stalls, always behind and eased over 1f out, 11th of 13, 19l behind Cape St Vincent (8-7) at Bath 6f hcp (4) gf.
Thurlestone Rock 20-1 (9-6) Led, headed over 4f out, ridden 3f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 14th of 15, 10l behind Gone'n'dunnett (8-8) at Yarmouth 6f hcp (4) gs.
Marsad (IRE) 18-1 (9-4) Racde on outside, held up in rear, brief effort over 2f out, soon beaten, 13th of 16, 19l behind dhtrs Morse (9-7) & Idle Power (9-3) at Goodwood 6f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Viking Spirit 4-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon hung right, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 7l behind Obe Gold (9-4) at Newmarket 6f 2yo hcp 0-95 (B1) gf in Sept.
Ingleton 16-1 (8-10) Always in rear, lost touch halfway, 9th of 11, 20l behind dhtrs Resplendent Glory (8-7) & Goodricke (9-0) at Salisbury 6f 3yo hcp (2) gs.
Angel Sprints 25-1 (8-10) In touch on outer, weakened quickly over 2f out, 10th of 11, 22l behind dhtrs Resplendent Glory (8-7) & Goodricke (9-0) at Salisbury 6f 3yo hcp (2) gs.
