led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace
in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on and no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
A decent prize has produced a good field with five of the seven entries having won last time. Marco Botti won the event a year ago and sends Shahbar this time though his maiden victory at Sandown hasn't been advertised by the subsequent exploits of the beaten horses. King's Pavilion won a fast-ground maiden at Wetherby then didn't settle when only third at Chester so it was a surprise when he was dropped 5lb for his next run at Ripon which he duly won. He can improve again but the form of Toboggan's Fire's Beverley victory hasn't worked out. Pickett's Charge has improved with each run and looked certain to be suited by another furlong when scoring over 7f here though exactly the same remark applies to SIMPLE ATTACK, who gets the vote. The Godolphin colt came here for what looked a decent maiden a couple of weeks ago and though only getting the better of Ikerrin Road close home there was the promise of more to come.
King's Pavilion (IRE) 6-4fav (9-7) Led early, chased clear leader, pushed along over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Ripon 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs beating Maulesden May (8-7) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Turn Tide 9-4fav (9-7) Led, headed over 1f out, soon ridden, one pace and took 2nd place close home, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Another Touch (8-13) at Newcastle 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Shahbar 4-7fav (9-5) Tracked leader, settled in 4th place after 1f, headway between horses over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, shaken up inside final furlong, always just doing enough, won at Sandown 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd beating Ride The Lightning (9-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Fast Gold (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway on wide outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 4th towards finish, never going pace to challenge, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Time Warp (9-3) at Sandown 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Simple Attack 7-2 (9-5) Chased leaders, 2nd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, upsides inside final furlong, stayed on to lead close home, won at Newcastle 7f 2yo mdn (5) gs beating Ikerrin Road (9-5) by nk, 11 ran.
Pickett's Charge 7-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and closed over 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newcastle 7f 2yo mdn aut (6) gd beating Dark Confidant (8-12) by 1l, 13 ran.
Toboggan's Fire 5-2 (9-0) Chased leader, led approaching final furlong, held on gamely, won at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Jul beating Silver Streak (9-5) by nk, 6 ran.
