started very slowly, pulled hard, chased leaders 8f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader, led 2f out until over 1f out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders until weakened over 2f out
always in rear
in rear, made some late headway, never in contention
led, pushed along and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
soon in touch, ridden to chase leaders on inside from 3f out, weakened from 2f out
held up, headway on outside over 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed along and headed near finish
held up in rear, steady headway on outside from over 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, led near finish
pulled hard, held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on under strong pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish
always in rear
This is a tough race to close the card and the vote goes to ICEMAN GEORGE over Dragon Slayer and Ghufa. The selection ran well when second behind Cwm Rhondda at Yarmouth last time. He goes well for his amateur rider and he rates as the percentage call with conditions to suit. Dragon Slayer is well handicapped at present but he can be a difficult ride and Scott Dobson will have to be at his best in the saddle if he is to steer him home. Ghufa has the experienced Simon Walker on board but he ran a shocker at Doncaster last time when he brought up the rear and he is hard to recommend off the back of that below-par effort. Sunset Boulevard has shown all his best form on the all-weather so he has a bit to prove now that he returns to the turf. Mustajed, Director's Chair and Seventh Cavalry are others to consider, but the vote goes to Iceman George.
Mustajed 5-1 (10-11) Mid-division, chased leaders 3f out, ridden 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong, 5th of 9, 10l behind Grand Art (10-13) at York 1m 4f Amateur Handicap (0-80) (4yo+) (4) gf in May.
Ghufa (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Led, headed over 7f out, regained lead over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 18, 9l behind Monfils Monfils (9-1) at Doncaster 1m 4f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (5) gf in Mar.
Director's Chair 10-3 (8-13) Close up, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 6l behind Locum (8-11) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Seventh Cavalry (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 14, 10l behind Beau Fighter (9-0) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May.
Inchando (FR) 100-1 (8-8) Always behind, 11th of 12, 28l behind Dark Prospect (9-1) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
Gallego 10-1 (8-6) Slowly away, always behind, 10th of 11, 7l behind Cosmea (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 17-2 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway from 3f out, every chance from over 1f out, driven and unable to quicken near finish, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Graylyn Ruby (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May.
Sunset Boulevard (IRE) 5-2fav (10-0) Soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Medieval Maiden (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol.
Artreju (GER) 11-4fav (10-3) Chased leaders, hit rails on bend over 4f out, led 3 out, soon edged left, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 14, 8l behind Addwaitya (11-3) at Goodwood 1m 1f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gf.
Iceman George 20-1 (8-12) In touch, switched right and effort well over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure inside final furlong to go 2nd near finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 4l behind Cwm Rhondda (9-3) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in May.
Binnion Bay (IRE) 14-1 (9-13) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 14, 12l behind Addwaitya (11-3) at Goodwood 1m 1f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gf.
Hold Fire 125-1 (9-3) Mid-division, lost pace over 3f out, 11th of 13, 25l behind Palacefield (9-1) at Chepstow 1m mdn stks (5) gd in May.
