close up, pushed along 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
dwelt, in touch, pushed along and headway over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on gamely
keen in touch, pushed along and headway over 1f out, stayed on one pace final furlong
steadied start, in rear, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, nearest finish
keen tracked winner, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
The Gatekeeper remains 6lb higher than when winning in a lower grade at Newcastle and FINAL WATCH is preferred. A course and distance winner last year, Bill Stone’s charge will be sharper for last month’s fourth here and should go close. Darkness has recorded his best form with some cut in the ground while Accidental Agent returned to action last year with a victory over track and trip and is preferred to Star Of Orion.
Accidental Agent 13-2 (9-13) Held up towards rear on inside, pushed along over 2f out, never involved, 8th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Dhabab (9-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Bass Player (IRE) 18-1 (9-8) Prominent, outpaced 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 7 1/2l behind Larado (8-5) at Newcastle 7f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Star Of Orion (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Off the pace towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, some late headway, never going pace to get involved, 6th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Dhabab (9-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp (2) pol in Oct.
The Gatekeeper (IRE) 7-2jfav (9-1) Raced wide, tracked winner, pushed along and no impression 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4l behind Gweedore (8-13) at Musselburgh 7f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Persuasion (IRE) 17-2 (9-8) Tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 5 1/2l behind Farasi Lane (9-1) at Southwell 7f hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Final Watch 7-1 (8-7) Very slowly away, recovered to rear after 1f, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Rebel Territory (8-11) at Newmarket 7f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Darkness (FR) 11-4fav (9-6) Mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, chased leaders well over 1f out, stayed on one pace, 6th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Isla Kai (9-9) at Ripon 1m hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Lord Rapscallion (IRE) 7-2 (9-5) Led, set steady tempo, pressed 2f out, ridden when headed entering final 110 yards, outpaced near finish and just held on for third, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Spirited Guest (9-1) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (4) pol in Apr.
