slowly into stride and nearly unseated rider, raced wide throughout in rear, headway 2f out, pressed winner over 1f out, kept on, unable to quicken near finish
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
keen, tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, led over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not troubled leaders
Withdrawn
The lack of pace here negates stamina concerns surrounding ROSCO FLYER and he's taken to go in again ahead of Haljaferia; Waahej and Archie Rice are contenders for minor hours. Roger Teal's charge had been consistent but frustrating prior to breaking his duck at the 11th time of asking at Salisbury. Switching to this surface won't pose a problem and now that he's got his head in front there could be more to come, so although this extra furlong wouldn't be ideal for a strong-travelling type like Rosco Flyer the lack of pace could bring his turn of foot into play; he can defy a 5lb rise. Haljaferia can look good on his day as he did when winning by nine lengths at Pontefract last time. He's up 9lbs but arrives with no stamina concerns and can't be overlooked with a talented rider taking over, but if this isn't run at an end-to-end gallop he'll be compromised. Waahej is only 4lbs higher than when coasting home by a wide-margin at but Pontefract that performance increasingly appears a freak one and his recent efforts have been laboured while Archie Rice would fall into a similar category if, as is expected, he fails to follow up a Windsor success. It must be said the latter still looks well-treated on the pick of his form but his profile isn't convincing and all-weather efforts have been poor. Eseej could get a soft lead but may not be in good enough form to take advantage, Theonebox needs a market check in the first-time tongue-tie while Addwaitya won a very weak race on his return and may be best caught fresh. This is a tricky opener but Rosco Flyer looked one to keep on side when winning at Salisbury and we'll stick with him.
Addwaitya 12-1 (10-0) Raced wide, close up, ridden and edged left 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 10l behind Jutland (9-7) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Haljaferia (UAE) 5-2fav (10-0) Keen, tracked leading trio, led 2f out, ridden clear, won at Pontefract 1m 2f Ladies Handicap (0-70) (3yo+) (5) gf in Jun beating Winged Farasi (9-0) by 9l, 11 ran.
Archie Rice (USA) 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leader until over 5f out, regained 2nd 3f out, ridden over 1f out, lead inside final furlong, held on well, driven out, won at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun beating Megalala (9-2) by 2l, 7 ran.
Rosco Flyer (IRE) 11-4 (9-4) Held up in touch, progress to lead over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well, won at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun beating Petomic (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Eseej (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Led until 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 13, 17l behind Resentful Angel (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Waahej 17-2 (8-8) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 11l behind Scamperdale (8-12) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Formidable Guest 33-1 (9-6) Took keen hold in rear, never a factor, 9th of 13, 33l behind Resentful Angel (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Theonebox (USA) 20-1 (9-4) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 11l behind Dr Wintringham (9-0) at Warwick 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jun.
