led after 1f, made rest, ridden over 1f out, ran on
in touch, outpaced halfway, ridden and kept on approaching final furlong, not trouble leaders
tracked leaders, ridded and outpaced over 2f out, ran on to go 3rd near finish
dwelt always in rear
led 1f, tracked winner until ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace
dwelt in rear, pushed along after 1f, ridden over 2f out, no impression
chased leading pair, pushed along after 2f, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on same pace
Plenty in with a chance in this competitive sprint. York Glory and Restless Bay were not far behind Palais Glide at Nottingham last time and that trio are hard to separate, while Rock Ace and Materialism are the least exposed and open to improvement. Steps never recovered from a stumble at Chester on his reappearance and he can figure, but SLUGGSY MORANT is preferred. He made a winning comeback at Salisbury when beating Roman Strait, but did so a shade cosily and looks capable of following-up in a contest won by his stable last year.
Steps (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Chased leader, effort when slipped over 1f out, soon eased, 12th of 13, 22l behind Lexi's Hero (9-7) at Chester 6f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Rock Ace (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 7th of 9, 15l behind Shamdarley (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Palais Glide 9-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders in centre group, not clear run when groups merged over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating York Glory (9-5) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
City Legend 22-1 (8-4) Stumbled start, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, led over 1f out, soon hung badly left, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Common Touch (9-0) at York 7f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Diamond Vine (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Towards rear, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous, 14th of 19, 16l behind Thirteen Shivers (9-0) at York 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Sluggsy Morant 3-1fav (9-3) Held up, headway and switched left over 2f out, switched left again approaching final furlong, quickened to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Salisbury 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Roman Strait (8-10) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Materialism 7-4fav (9-7) Chased leaders, chased winner over 4f out, pushed along over 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Fairlie Dinkum (9-4) at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Roman Strait 22-1 (8-10) Held up towards rear, switched left when not clear run and hampered 2f out, soon switched right, effort on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Sluggsy Morant (9-3) at Salisbury 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
York Glory (USA) 7-2fav (9-5) Prominent in centre group, overall leader when groups merged over 2f out, soon ridden and hung right, headed 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Palais Glide (9-7) at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Restless Bay (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in rear in centre group, headway as groups merged over 2f out, ridden and every chance from 1f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Palais Glide (9-7) at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
