tracked winner until ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, kept on and no chance with winner
made all, clear over 1f out, ran on strongly, eased towards finish
held up towards rear, went 3rd over 1f out, one pace
slowly away, always in rear and outpaced
A winner in the French provinces, GANDALAK opened his account for David O'Meara with a cosy win at Newcastle last week. He's worth sticking with over this longer trip with plenty more to come. Most of today's opposition are struggling for form including the selection's stablemate Powerful Presence, though he has slipped a few pounds down the handicap. Discression has posted a couple of modest efforts so far this year but is dropped in class today with Our Boy Jack preferred of the remainder if rediscovering his best form.
Powerful Presence (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Dubai Dynamo (9-1) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Discression 33-1 (8-7) Hedl up towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to get involved, 9th of 25, 6l behind Haaf A Sixpence (8-3) at Newbury 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Apr.
Gandalak (FR) 5-1 (9-3) Made all and overall leader stand side, clear over 1f out, kept on well, won at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr beating King Of Eden (9-11) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Our Boy Jack (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Raced wide always towards rear, last of 11, 6l behind Monsieur Chevalier (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.
Silver Rime (FR) 14-1 (9-1) Very slowly away, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 13th of 18, 21l behind Chookie Royale (9-0) at Doncaster 7f app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Nov.
Springheel Jake 22-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 11l behind Al Khan (9-3) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Apr.