soon led and raced keenly in front, set steady pace, quickened clear 2f out, kept on strongly final furlong, reduced lead in closing stages, unchallenged
took keen hold, held up in 5th, headway on inside over 2f out, one pace and no impression inside final furlong
led early, tracked winner 1f, tracked leading pair, went 2nd again approaching final 2f, ridden one pace and no impression over 1f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong
steadied start, took keen hold and held up last, pushed along over 2f out, never a factor
held up in last pair, pushed along over 2f out, never on terms
took keen hold, held up in last trio, headway over 2f out, plugged on final furlong, no threat
tracked leaders on outside, effort on outside over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, closed on winner towards finish but never able to challenge
took keen hold tracking leaders, went 2nd after 1f, ridden and not quicken over 2f out, soon hung left and weakened quickly
Expert Fighter hasn't won since landing a handicap over 1m3f here in May last year. He remains 5lb higher while Incendo will find this much tougher than the claimer he won at Redcar recently. Aldborough opened his account in soft ground at Chepstow last time but steps up in class off a higher mark while Art Scholar has yet to show any benefit for a slip down the weights. SHAVANSKY arrives in fine form having won at Lingfield before finishing fourth in a higher grade contest at this track. Rod Millman's charge is fancied to make the most of today's drop in class and gets the nod.
Expert Fighter (USA) 7-2 (9-0) Took keen hold in touch, switched to centre when race split over 10f out, driven to challenge over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased, 8th of 9, 42l behind Van Percy (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Shavansky 16-1 (8-10) Keen close up, ridden over 2f out, edged right and stayed on to go 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 8l behind Salutation (8-7) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Buckland (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Slow into stride headway to track leader 10f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 23l behind Magic Hurricane (9-2) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Jun.
War Singer (USA) 7-2fav (10-7) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 17, 28l behind Nanton (10-1) at York 1m 4f ladys hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun '13.
Art Scholar (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, joined leaders over 3f out until ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, last of 4, 5l behind Nullarbor Sky (9-3) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Incendo 7-4fav (9-12) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Redcar 1m 2f claim (6) gf in Jun beating Matraash (9-4) by nk, 6 ran.
Ridgeway Storm (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Whiplash Willie (9-10) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in May.
Aldborough (IRE) 11-4 (8-11) Tracked leaders, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, driven and in command over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in May beating Modem (8-4) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
