held up, headway over 2f out, edged left 1f out, soon hung right, stayed on
led early, tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on
soon led, pushed along and headed 3f out, lost place over 2f out
last to break, headway to track leader 11f out, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, stayed on, no impression on winner final furlong
held up in touch, shaken up when bumped over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, no impression
Not surprisingly, Titus Bolt has failed to figure since being raised a harsh-looking 10lb for an earlier win at Newcastle. Grand Diamond's recent win over track and trip came in an amateurs' race and he'll need to step up on that to figure while Circle Of Angels and Vittachi are struggling at present and Cadgers Brig hasn't raced since December. With doubts surrounding today's opposition, EBONY EXPRESS gets the tentative vote as he attempts this longer trip for the first time after finishing ahead of a subsequent winner at Hamilton on his latest start.
Titus Bolt (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway to 2nd inside final 3f, switched right over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra in 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 8, 5l behind Goodlukin Lucy (9-6) at Musselburgh 1m 5f am hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
Ebony Express 11-4fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along and headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 6l behind King Of Paradise (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Cadgers Brig 9-2 (10-9) With leader, led narrowly 5f out, headed over 3f out, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 12l behind Cheers For Thea (10-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f am hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Circle Of Angels 12-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, always behind, tailed off, 12th of 14, 48l behind Linroyale Boy (9-7) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in May.
Grand Diamond (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, headway to challenge when carried left inside final 2f, ridden to lead narrowly inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, won at Musselburgh 1m 4f ladies hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Hawdyerwheesht (10-4) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Vittachi 5-1 (9-2) In rear, headway 9f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 8, 24l behind Forrest Flyer (9-7) at Ayr 1m 7f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
