held up towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, unable to challenge winner
disputed lead early, in touch in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 4f out, 2nd 2f out, driven over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on
tracked leaders, 2nd over 9f out, led over 2f out, driven and headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
held up in mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, plugged on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, recovered to soon lead, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Only 3lb separates the field in this classified contest and Conkering Hero faces a much tougher task than when winning at Lingfield. Mirzam won at Chepstow last month and has gone well again since while the less-exposed Second Page attempts this longer trip for the first time. But a couple of these have even more scope than the latter with Montanna and MARINE ONE competing outside of maiden company for the first time. The former was a well-beaten second at Chepstow last time but the latter was not beaten far over today’s trip at Kempton when ahead of a subsequent winner and David Simcock’s Frankel colt gets the nod to open his account.
Bowban 7-4 (10-12) Several slow jumps, held up in 4th, jumped right and bumped rival 1st, went 3rd after 3 out, 2nd before 2 out, no chance with winner, blundered and unseated rider last, at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gd in Jun.
Conkering Hero (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Led and set steady pace, narrowly headed 7f out, chased leader, in front again 5f out, came well clear over 2f out, unchallenged, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jun beating Let's Be Happy (9-8) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.
Marine One 10-1 (9-5) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Petitioner (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Jun.
Mirzam (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Close up, ridden 2f out, kept on to take 3rd place close home, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Prize Diva (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp fll (5) gf in Jun.
Montanna 9-2 (8-13) Led early and keen, tracked winner until over 3f out, soon pushed along, kept on from over 1f out, went 2nd towards finish, no impression, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Beach Break (8-13) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Second Page 3-1 (9-1) Tracked winner until pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 4, 3 3/4l behind Alexander M (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f stks (5) gf in Jun.
Taxmeifyoucan (IRE) 18-1 (8-6) Always in rear, last of 9, 9 1/4l behind Time To Study (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp (2) gf in Jun.
The Blues Master (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 4, 4 1/4l behind Alabaster (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (4) pol in Jun.