held up in last pair, headway on outside to 3rd and hung left over 2f out, pulled out over 1f out sustained run to lead inside final furlong, well in control when eased near finish
tracked leader until 3f out, soon weakened
held up pushed along and headway on inside 3f out, weakened 2f out
raced wide, held up in touch, switched right to outside and driven 3f out, plugged on one pace final 2f
in touch, weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride soon tracked leaders, tracked leader 3f out, challenged and edging left from 2f out, disputing lead over 1f out, went 2nd last half furlong, not pace of winner
always in last pair, struggling 3f out, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden on inside over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
Tuscan Gold is the obvious improver but he looks a little too obvious and so it may pay to side instead with GRITSTONE in preference to Christopher Wren. The last-named can be forgiven his effort at Epsom last time out as he never seemed at ease on the camber; on his win last October at Windsor he can be rated a player as long as he sees out this longer trip. That is also a question mark for the other John Best runner Another Magic Man as he just stayed on at the one pace last time out at Lingfield over this trip. Instead then we prefer Gritstone who acquitted himself exceedingly well against an in-form and well-handicapped filly last month at Redcar. He is yet to win but some of his placed form reads well and this mark of 73 should be no barrier to success. Keiren Fallon looks an interesting jockey booking for the dropping-in-trip Pullyourfingerout, Miami Gator is consistent and shapes as if this step back up in trip will suit, whilst Red Fighter drops in grade and it is intriguing that the handicapper has him on a mark of 73 over here which may prove to be lenient. Damietta doesn't look a stable star but perhaps the former Godolphin runner will settle into her relatively new home with a win at some point, however a bigger danger is Tuscan Gold. His trainer is adept at getting his horses handicapped over inadequate trips as a two-year-old and this son of Medicean is likely to step u[p massively now handicapping over a more adequate trip. As a half-brother to Leadership and out of a mile-and-a-half mare he is bred to improve greatly this year over this trip and further. He's the obvious threat but we are happy to side with the best recent form carried by Gritstone.
Christopher Wren (USA) 7-1 (9-4) Tracked leading pair, pushed along entering straight, weakening when hampered over 2f out, hung left over 1f out and eased, 11th of 12, 23l behind Kajima (8-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Damietta (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 12l behind Avenuesnalleyways (8-13) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
Red Fighter (IRE) 15-2 (8-1) Led, ridden and strongly pressed straight, headed 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Atasari (8-0) at Gowran Park 1m 2yo hcp gf in Sep.
Gritstone 11-4 (9-4) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Sparkling Smile (9-5) at Redcar 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Another Magic Man (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Held up, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong to 3rd last strides, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Life And Soul (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo stks 0-75 (5) pol.
Pullyourfingerout (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind Love Action (9-0) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Tuscan Gold 25-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up, never on terms, 6th of 9, 7l behind Sunarise (8-10) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Oct.
Diamondgeezer Luke (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 5th early, no impression straight, 9th of 14, 10l behind Willyconker (8-13) at Dundalk 7f 2yo hcp 50-70 std in Nov.
Miami Gator (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 3l behind Mighty Clarets (8-10) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
