in touch, headway 9th, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, mistake 8th, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden after 9th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, pulled up and dismounted after 5th
held up, headway 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, not much room and lost place after 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 9th
behind, ridden and some headway after 9th, no impression from 2 out
Quite a tricky contest to start the day with Emphatic, Silver Gift and the in-form Kippanour all winners over course and distance, but the vote goes to Phar From Frosty, who is still open to some improvement at this trip. Charlie Egerton's six-year-old stays extremely well and has yet to finish out of the frame since stepping up to these sort of trips. He, unlike the majority of his rivals, is fairly straightforward and won't mind any easing of the ground as he won his bumper when the ground was on the easy side. It is hard to crab a horse that has won ten races, but Kippanour certainly has two ways of running and although he comes here in the form of his life, he will have to turn in a personal best if he is to add to his tally. Emphatic is only 2lbs higher than when winning here in the spring and must go well, but Silver Gift, who has been struggling of late is beginning to slip down the handicap, and it would come as no surprise to see her figure, although she probably wouldn't want too much rain. Southerncrosspatch hasn't won for over two years and may need this, while Little Ross didn't really achieve a great deal when filling third place behind Charm Offensive at Towcester earlier this month. So, with doubts about the majority of these, Phar From Frosty looks the safest option.
