A small field here and proven soft-ground performers Vesuvio and Impromptu look the two to concentrate on, with Vesuvio getting the vote. Joe Fanning steps into the plate on Vesuvio and that jockey booking catches the eye. The horse has proven himself on heavy ground when winning at Beverley and shouldn't be troubled by this step up in trip as he was staying on strongly up the Beverley hill. Impromptu has also proven himself on soft ground when winning at Windsor over this trip and with that confidence booster under his belt then he looks sure to run a big race, although a mark of 77 looks high enough for the time being. Osteopathic Remedy drops in trip from a mile and connections seem to be struggling to find his optimum trip. Pickering shouldn't be ruled out but may prefer quicker ground whilst a Fish Called Johnny is the most exposed of these and can be taken on again. An interesting little contest, and Vesuvio can have his supporters erupting in joy.
Osteopathic Remedy (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Held up, headway when ridden along 2f out, driven to chase winner final furlong, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Milla's Rocket (8-10) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (4) sft.
Impromptu 11-4 (9-3) Made virtually all, led narrowly, shaken up over 1f out, quickened clear, ran on, pushed out, readily, won at Windsor 6f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs in Jun beating Batchworth Fleur (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Pickering 5-1 (9-7) Led after 1f, ridden and edged left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, faded, 4th of 9, 5l behind Lordship (7-11) at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp (5) gd.
Fish Called Johnny 11-4 (8-12) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, hung left over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Foxy Music (9-7) at Haydock 5f 3yo hcp (4) hvy.
Vesuvio 9-2 (9-3) In touch, headway 2f out, switched right, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Beverley 5f mdn stk (5) hvy beating Moheebb (9-0) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
