in rear, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
dwelt, soon tracking leaders in 3rd, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
made all, ridden and edged left over 2f out, stayed on well
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked winner, effort over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, one pace
A very good contest here as you would expect for the money and STATELY HOME is given the nod ahead of Parthenon and Popmurphy. A rare Aidan O'Brien raider to the Scottish track, Stately Home was a very comfortable scorer over 10f at Leopardstown last month. The step up in trip here is clearly going to be a plus, the ground will be no issue, and there is surely a fair bit more to come from this Derby entry, who can go on to better things. Parthenon has already won two from his four starts and could hardly have been more impressive in winning a four runner handicap at Sandown in April. A typical stamp of a horse from the Middleham yard of Mark Johnston, he is guaranteed not to be stopping here and looks sure to go very well. Popmurphy is another entitled to get heavily involved after a decent effort in defeat to Debussy last time. There will surely be more to come over this longer trip and he is much respected. Emirates Champion and Bothy have to show plenty of improvement to be serious contenders and Stately Home looks the one to be with.
Bothy 2-1fav (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along to improve 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon joined, driven inside final furlong, all out, won at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd in Apr beating Lady Francesca (8-6) by shd, 12 ran.
Emirates Champion 9-2 (9-3) Close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right final furlong, won at Great Leighs 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov beating Cosimo (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Holberg (UAE) 5-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, led after 2f, headed over 7f out, led again over 1f out, pushed out, won at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (3) gf in Apr beating Lively Fling (9-7) by 1 1/4l, 3 ran.
Parthenon 11-10fav (9-2) Made all, led, quicken well from 2f out, driven and clear over 1f out, unchallenged, won at Sandown 1m con stks (3) gd in Apr beating Militarist (9-2) by 4 1/2l, 4 ran.
Popmurphy 6-1 (9-1) Held up, headway to chase leading pair over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Debussy (9-1) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f con stks (2) gd in Apr.
Stately Home (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Led, headed after 1f and close 2nd, disputed 3f out, held head high, ridden to lead under 1 1/2f out, asserted inside final furlong, eased close home, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn stks sft in Apr beating Yankee Doodle (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
