mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and kept on one pace final 2f
in touch, ridden and weakened over 2f out
in touch, headway to lead over 1f out, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced keen in rear, never dangerous
tracked leader, led 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra
African Cheetah sets the standard but it doesn't look an unattainable level to reach and we will take a chance on TAARAB who is preferred. The Godolphin runner has been off the track for 188 days since finishing second on his debut at Yarmouth. Jockey Saleem Golam takes over in the saddle today and will be keen to impress, and this Refuse To Bend colt must go close on ground that he has shown he handles. Newcomer Johnny Rocket has plenty of weight to give away and he was never a factor on his bumper run, so a bigger threat should be African Cheetah. He is rated 76 after his latest run at Epsom behind Bothy and he has a bit to prove, but the feeling is that this softer surface may play to his strengths. Jenny Potts needs to improve on what we have seen and this winning hurdler is passed over, whilst improvement may be expected from Rogalt, Eborbrav and Aldaado. This looks between the three-year-old's and preference is for Taarab.
Johnny Rocket (IRE) 20-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, well behind Ballybriggan (10-13) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar.
Bumble Rose (IRE) 66-1 (9-9) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, eased over 1f out, 7th of 9, 42l behind Saga De Tercey (9-13) at Musselburgh 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf in Apr.
African Cheetah 13-2 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden and headway from over 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Bothy (8-11) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Aldaado (IRE) 80-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, pushed along and outpaced towards rear, never dangerous, last of 14, 41l behind Mister Dee Bee (9-3) at Ripon 1m 3yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Eborbrav 28-1 (9-3) Dwelt and always behind, last of 12, 48l behind Liturgical (9-3) at Redcar 7f 2yo mdn (5) fm in Jun.
Napoletano (ITY) 100-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, no extra final furlong, 7th of 9, 16l behind Gilded Age (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Rogalt (IRE) 100-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, behind, never a factor, 10th of 11, 39l behind Neuchatel (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Taarab 16-1 (9-3) Dwelt, keen, soon held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Al Marmoom (9-3) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Jenny Potts 10-1 (9-6) Held up behind leading group, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 5l behind The Fonz (8-11) at Beverley 1m mdn stks (5) gf in Apr.
