tracked winner until inside final 3f, soon ridden and weakened 2f out
held up, effort on outside and ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out
prominent, chased winner inside final 3f, strong challenge and driven from over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, always held
made all, shaken up inside final furlong, kept on gamely and always holding on
racing in 4th on rail when not much room and snatched up inside final 5f, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, eased final furlong
held up in 7th, ridden on outside 3f out, weakened and hung right final 2f
pulled hard, held up in 6th, driven and not keen when hung left approaching final furlong
held up in rear, hampered after 1f, headway on rail from 3f out, went 3rd 2f out, no chance with leading pair
Jo'burg may be the answer to a tight heat. He made his reappearance in the Guineas last year and then made the frame in a Listed race but struggled thereafter and connections are now trying him in headgear. He has plenty to prove therefore but the handicapper has given him a real chance and he may be sent off at a sufficiently attractive price for us to do so too. Out After Dark, Starlight Gazer and Mason Ette are others with questions to answer, The Snatcher usually races over further and Lunces Lad doesn't win very often but a visor may help his cause. Crystal Gazer is well handicapped on grass and is one for the short-list as is Idle Power who has won four times here and is on a fair mark. However, that pair aren't rock solid and we're prepared to chance Jo'burg.
Out After Dark 12-1 (8-11) Towards rear, never dangerous, 21st of 22, 19l behind Tamagin (8-10) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Jo'burg (USA) 20-1 (9-2) Raced wide of pack, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, last of 6, 10l behind Lovelace (8-11) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp (2) frm in Aug.
The Snatcher (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 5th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Bankable (9-8) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr.
Idle Power (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, driven 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Mujood (9-1) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Crystal Gazer (FR) 5-1 (8-8) Steadied start, prominent in 5th, effort over 1f out, no extra, one pace final furlong, 5th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Benllech (8-7) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar.
Starlight Gazer 8-1 (8-10) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 20l behind Against The Grain (8-11) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Mar.
Lunces Lad (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (9-4) Steadied start, held up, ridden 2f out, kept on close home, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Expensive Art (9-2) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Mason Ette 20-1 (9-1) Dwelt, held up, ran on inside final furlong, headway under pressure on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 15, 1 1/2l behind Seamus Shindig (8-7) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Resplendent Nova 9-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 4l behind King's Bastion (9-3) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gs.