never going well, early reminders in rear, ridden and beaten over 2f out, tailed off
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, plugged on in 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leader, led inside final 2f, came clear final furlong, very easily
held up last, pushed along and struggling over 2f out, never in contention
tracked leaders on rail, hung left from over 1f out, went 2nd final furlong, no chance with winner, joined for that placing final strides
held up in 5th, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, kept on final furlong, shared modest 2nd final strides
led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, lost 2nd and weakened final furlong
SONG OF THE ISLES is 10lb clear on official ratings after completing a hat-trick on testing ground in the autumn. The more rain the better for Heather Main's mare and she should be ready after a run at Beverley last week. She holds Voltaic on their run at Leicester in August. Dark Phoenix, three times a winner on the all-weather, has his young rider's claim to aid his cause while it wouldn't be a shock to see nine-times winner Poetic Force add to his tally in this moderate company.
Dark Phoenix (IRE) 15-2 (9-6) Ridden away from stalls, held up in mid-division, some headway over 1f out, never involved, 5th of 10, 6 3/4l behind Evasive Power (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Poetic Force (IRE) 11-1 (9-5) Dwelt in rear, pushed along and no impression over 2f out, eased final furlong, last of 5, dist behind Strawberry Jack (9-5) at Bath 1m hcp (5) gf in May.
Song of The Isles (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Dwelt pushed along to soon press winner, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 9 1/2l behind Poet's Dawn (9-7) at Beverley 1m hcp (4) gs in May.
Embolden (IRE) 40-1 (9-8) Close up, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 9, 10 1/4l behind One Hart (9-8) at Wolverhampton 7f stks (6) pol in Jan.
Voltaic 16-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway far rail 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, went 3rd post, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Lucky Louie (10-10) at Salisbury 7f hcp (6) gd in May.
Bombastic (IRE) 3-1fav (9-6) Restrained towards rear and keen, modest headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 9th of 10, 7 1/2l behind Kendergarten Kop (9-9) at Brighton 1m hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Executive 50-1 (8-11) Towards rear, ridden after 2f out, made no impression, 7th of 8, 12l behind Cloudy Dawn (9-4) at Lingfield 6f fll stks (5) sft in May.