always in rear, pushed along and struggling final 3f
led, joined and strongly pressed from 2f out, narrowly headed over 1f out, kept challenging throughout final furlong, but always held
held up in rear, effort on outside to chase leaders 4f out, weakened inside final 3f
slowly into stride, took keen hold and soon close up, driven and stayed on one pace final 2f
took keen hold, tracked leader, hind bandages came loose entering straight, lost 2nd 4f out, weakened over 2f out
driven along over 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 4f out, upsides from over 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, kept on well when strongly pressed throughout final furlong, always holding runner up
Despite Bouguereau standing out on ratings we will oppose him here with the John Dunlop trained Mountain Pride who impressed when landing a Leicester maiden last backend in an impressive time, considering the ground conditions. Entered in both English and Irish Derbys, the second in that Leicester contest Cuban Missile has since franked the form with an eye catching win at Nottingham in what was admittedly a weak maiden but clearly connections hold Mountain Pride in high regard and rightly so on the evidence of what he has displayed. Bougeureau impressed in winning a Pontefract maiden on his seasonal debut, however, what he beat his debateable as the second was turnover after not looking straight forward at Kempton since. While he is a colt of some potential, we will oppose him at the likely cramped odds. Better Hand was below par at Newbury but impressed when landing a Sandown maiden on his penultimate outing with subsequent Champagne Stakes victor McCartney in behind. Mountain Pride despite the lack of a recent outing gets the vote.
Better Hand (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-0) Led, ridden and headed inside final 2f, lhampered over 1f out, no chance after, 8th of 10, 8l behind Sharp Nephew (9-0) at Newbury 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Bouguereau 4-9fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, led on bridle over 2f out, quicken clear over 1f out, very easily, won at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (4) gs in Mar beating St Jean Cap Ferrat (9-3) by 6l, 7 ran.
Mountain Pride (IRE) 6-4fav (9-3) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Leicester 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct beating Cuban Missile (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Patkai (IRE) 11-10fav (9-3) Mid-division, not much room over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct beating Etruscan (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Staying On (IRE) 13-2 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right final furlong, gradually drew clear, won at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Oct beating Counterclaim (8-12) by 2l, 12 ran.
Straight And Level (CAN) 18-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind William Blake (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Unnefer (FR) 3-1 (9-5) Soon led, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, eased when beaten final furlong, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Ramona Chase (8-12) at Salisbury 1m nov stk (4) gf in Sept.
