in touch in rear, ridden and unable to quicken 3f out, switched left over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no threat to winner
keen tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace
in touch in rear, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
set steady pace, pushed along and quickened pace 3f out, ridden and headed entering final 2f, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
dwelt raced wide until 7f out, close up, headway 3f out, led entering final 2f out, quickened clear approaching final furlong, ran on, comfortable
Zafranagar mixes codes with some success and this course and distance winner has been partnered to all three wins on the level by George Downing so expect a solid effort from the combination. He's a somewhat in and out performer but deserves shortlist inclusion. GRANELL appreciated the drop to Class 5 company this month when a fair Chepstow third and now looks competitive off a mark of 70. Hopefully, he can now progress from that improved effort in Wales and is taken to concede weight all round. The Firm is respected as he's shown up well on all four starts for his new yard since leaving Kevin Prendergast in Ireland last February whilst Grey Blue must be noted as anything that Nicky Henderson runs on the Flat has to be taken seriously, especially as he was a smooth winner on his debut for the yard on the level this term. Minstrel Lad has place claims off the bottom rung in an open contest.
Granell (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Held up in last pair, headway 3f out, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, kept on into 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Sweet Martoni (8-9) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Zafranagar (IRE) 10-3 (9-1) Held up, ridden and saddle slipped over 2f out, eased over 1f out, 13th of 14, 47l behind Stockhill Diva (8-11) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
Grey Blue (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Raced wide close up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 12, 5l behind Conquestadim (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
The Firm (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Kastini (9-7) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Grand Liaison 12-1 (9-7) Held up in touch in mid-division, ridden over 4f out, lost place over 3f out, 9th of 11, 42l behind Martinas Delight (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2f fll hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Minstrel Lad 33-1 (8-4) Last to break, soon held up in touch on inside, effort over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Choral Festival (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Posh Boy (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 5l behind Conquestadim (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Hurry Home Poppa (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Reared start, soon tracking leader, led 5f out, ridden 3f out, soon headed and weakened quickly over 2f out, tailed off, 17th of 18, 42l behind Perfect Summer (9-5) at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
