tracked leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on same pace final furlong
made all, driven over 1f out, stayed on strongly
chased leader, driven halfway, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out, moderate 3rd
There's not much between Millers Wharf and Abated on today's terms but the latter has more scope. She should go close after an admittedly disappointing pipe-opener at Wolverhampton but MERIDIUS could surprise both of the above. Gary Harrison's colt was only beaten a short-head on the Polytrack here on his first start for over a year and looks set to open his account in this. Poitin has some catching up to do if she's to figure and Golden Secret will need a big improvement on last year's debut run to get involved.
Millers Wharf (IRE) 9-4fav (9-6) Went left start, chased leaders in centre, ridden and weakened 2f out, 8th of 10, 11l behind Swift Cedar (9-5) at Newbury 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Abated 11-8fav (8-12) Prominent, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Smokethatthunders (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (5) pol in Apr.
Poitin 20-1 (9-0) Led, 4 lengths clear 4f out, ridden and increased lead 2f out, weakened and headed inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 5l behind Clement (9-2) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Purford Green 66-1 (9-7) Mid-division, pushed along on inside halfway, soon weakened, 15th of 17, 19l behind Shore Step (9-1) at Bath 6f mdn stks (5) gs in Apr.
Meridius (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, soon pressed winner, not quicken near finish, 2nd of 5, shd behind Ian's Dream (9-4) at Lingfield 6f mdn stks (5) pol.
Golden Secret 11-1 (8-10) Raced near side, chased leaders, led group and hung badly left from over 2f out, no chance with far side quintett, 5th of 9, 5l behind Eminently (9-0) at Haydock 6f 2yo stks (5) hvy in Sep.
