led at decent pace, ridden over 1f out, no extra and headed inside final furlong
held up in 5th, ridden along on outside over 3f out, went 3rd inside final 2f, no chance with leading duo
tracked leading pair until 5f out, pushed along 4f out, weakened 3f out
steadied start, held up last, some headway over 2f out, soon beaten
tracked leading trio, went 3rd 5f out, hard ridden over 2f out, no impression when lost modest 3rd inside final 2f
tracked leader, pushed along to lead inside final furlong, kept on well
There may only be six runners rocking up for this apprentice handicap but its wide open, however, MOUNTAIN FOREST seems the most consistent and after a good run in defeat last time out he has the call with Admirable Duque looking a danger and Ebiyan might be worth giving another chance to. Back to back wins on the all weather for the pick off light looking marks in the Spring were followed by a lesser effort at Catterick before a return to form at Kempton last time. Granted Hughie Morrison's gelding is perhaps better on the artificial stuff but he looks one of the better treated here. Admirable Duque was well held off this mark last time but based on his facile success at Wolverhampton in February he should be capable off this mark in his easiest assignment for some time. Ebiyan is unexposed on the level but has a bit to prove after his defeat last time while course and distance winner Sgt Schultz struggled under a penalty on his last run but should do better under this weight. A tricky end but the consistency of Mountain Forest might be enough.
Laish Ya Hajar (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Led after 1f, edged left and headed over 1f out, soon eased, 8th of 9, 17l behind Sircozy (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Admirable Duque (IRE) 7-2 (9-8) Slowly into stride, held up last, pushed along over 4f out, struggling over 2f out, never a factor, tailed off, 5th of 6, 26l behind Geneva Geyser (9-12) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Ebiayn (FR) 6-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 10l behind Archie Rice (9-6) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Sgt Schultz (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Took keen hold, prominent on outside 3f, in touch after, ridden well over 1f out, soon beaten, last of 6, 8l behind Peintre D'argent (8-0) at Ascot 1m 4f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gf.
Mountain Forest (GER) 7-1 (8-11) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway over 3f out, chased winner over 2f out, soon every chance, held and no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Ultimate Quest (9-4) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun.
Straight Laced 9-1 (9-3) Led 1f, chased leader, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure, weakened close home, 4th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Litenup (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Jun.