pressed leader until after 3rd, 2nd again before 5th, led after next, drew clear approaching 2 out
mid-division, not fluent 3rd, ridden and weakened approaching 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in rear, headway after 3rd, jumped slowly and lost place next, behind after, tailed off
prominent, raced keenly, weakened after 6th
in rear, not always fluent, headway approaching 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, raced keenly, lost place 4th, plugged on approaching last, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
in touch, not fluent, went prominent after 3rd, weakening when veered badly left after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, not fluent 6th, soon headed, weakened from 2 out
held up in rear, headway 6th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no chance, weakened flat, lost 2nd towards finish
RUPESTRAIN is the form pick while both Pure Crystal and Red China Blues are in great spirits of late and deserve respect. The selection has posted wins at Stratford, Hexham and Sedgefield already this season. He raced a little lazily in his last race but when push came to shove he won with ease. He looks the best three-year-old hurdler we have seen this summer so far and if at his best once again he will be difficult to beat. Pure Crystal was a 50-rated flat performer but raced with promise on his hurdles debut behind Herschel over course and distance. Improvement is needed however and he should be good enough to finish in the first three. Red China Blues is still a maiden on the flat after five attempts. His form looks only moderate but he may do better with an obstacle in front of him. Rupestrain has been making hay while the sun has been shining and even though the heavens have now opened he looks good enough to win again.
Rupestrian 4-11fav (11-12) Held up in touch, driven and outpaced approaching 3 out, headway under pressure to lead before next, ridden and kept on flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jun beating Miss Gibboa (10-5) by 4l, 8 ran.
Dollar Express (USA) 20-1 (10-12) Behind when mistake 1st, headway into mid-division next, lost place 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Herschel (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jun, 10 ran.
Highland Storm 4-6fav (8-8) Slowly into stride, towards rear, last 3f out, soon carried head high, switched right and headway and looking very awkward ride over 1f out, ran on towards finish, not reached winner, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Jeronimo Joe (8-13) at Warwick 1m 3f 3yo sll (6) gd (flat).
Jonnie Skull (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Tracked leader until 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 14l behind Spring Of Fame (8-12) at Newmarket 1m con stks (2) gd (flat).
Red China Blues (USA) 11-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 12, 17l behind Olympic Dream (8-12) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun (flat).
Royal Max (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Soon led, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind The Last Don (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol (flat).
Tropical Bachelor (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Prominent, led over 12f out, set modest pace, ridden over 2f out, headed and not much room along inside over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Drop The Hammer (8-7) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd (flat).
Pure Crystal 8-1 (10-5) Tracked clear leader to 3 out, ridden next, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Herschel (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gf in Jun.
True Britannia 9-2 (10-0) In touch, headway 4th, led 3 out, ridden approaching last, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Barizan (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
