steadied start, held up in rear, never pace to challenge
held up, ridden and headway to chase winner 3f out, one pace final 2f
held up mid-division, pushed along 4f out, soon weakened
led over 8f
tracked leader, led over 3f out, soon pushed clear, eased final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to chase winner 3f out, one pace final 2f
held up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
Birth Of The Blues has shown improved form in sellers of late and, with Richard Hughes taking over in the plate from an inexperienced apprentice, he gets the vote over Montosari and Quest On Air. The last mentioned comes here fresher than most and holds solid claims if fit enough for his seasonal reappearance although a bigger threat is likely to come from Montosari. Philip Mitchell's gelding is a consistent performer in this grade and is entitled to be thereabouts again. Cadwaller has slipped to a low mark and has claims if he can rediscover his best form, as does David Bridgwater's Bosphorous. It will be a surprise if even Kieren Fallon can improve Full Egalite enough to trouble the judge and we prefer to side with Birth Of The Blues. The eight-year-old showed that a better effort when chasing home Blue Savanna in a seller over course and distance was no fluke when landing a similar contest over a furlong extra last time and, as this is no better, he is taken to follow up.