always prominent, ridden 2f out, ran on to lead post
held up in touch, effort over 2f out, not pace to challenge
held up, struggling well over 4f out, never a factor
held up in rear, never dangerous
led, swerved right inside first furlong, ridden and headed 2f out, rallied and led again inside final furlong, headed post
tracked leader, hampered inside 3rd furlong, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up, stayed on final furlong, never on terms
Hearthstead Wings can make fitness count over Cover Up, Alcazar, Tungsten Strike and Larkwing. Although the Mark Johnston stable is not really in good form at present, Hearthstead Wings proved his wellbeing with a fluent success on his return at Ripon last week, staying on strongly at the finish after taking it up three furlongs out. He will have no trouble staying the extra half-mile here and in receipt of weight from his main rivals, can follow up before a possible crack at the Chester Cup. Cover Up beat Tungsten Strike in the Group 3 Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket last autumn but the latter is now slightly better off at the weights. Both are useful, but are perhaps best watched on this return to action. Alcazar bids to win this for a third time, having been first past the post in 2003 before being disqualified and subsequently reinstated, and than adding to that 12 months ago. Unlike last time though, he lines up without a prep run and may find the younger brigade too sharp. Larkwing has been hard to place, and will no doubt find a couple too good again, with our vote going to Hearthstead Wings.
Cover Up (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Held up, improved 4f out, ridden and led over 1f out, driven out, won at Newmarket 2m Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct beating Tungsten Strike (9-0) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Larkwing (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 9, 7l behind Frank Sonata (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f lst stk (1) sft in Apr.
Openide 16-1 (10-0) Prominent in chasing group, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 11th of 18, 37l behind Standin Obligation (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (1) gd in Apr (N.Hunt).
Sworn In (USA) 66-1 (9-0) Led after 1f, headed 10f out, weakening when hampered over 3f out, 8th of 9, 23l behind Frank Sonata (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f lst stk (1) sft in Apr.
Tungsten Strike (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, driven and rallied near finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Cover Up (9-0) at Newmarket 2m Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Hearthstead Wings 11-4fav (8-8) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on well, won at Ripon 1m 4f stk (3) gd in Apr beating Palomar (8-8) by 2l, 6 ran.
Casual Glance 33-1 (8-6) Mid-division, headway 5f out, outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside last, 7th of 9, 10l behind Frank Sonata (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f lst stk (1) sft in Apr.
Alcazar (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden and led 1f out, ran on well, won at Longchamp 1m 7f Grp 1 in Oct beating Reefscape (9-4) by a nk, 11 ran.
