held up, ridden and weakened 3f out
held up in touch, led over 2f out, ridden clear final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakend over 1f out
slowly into stride, hled up, ridden and weakened 3f out
pulled hard, tracked leader, ridden halfway, weakend 3f out
prominent 5f
tracekd leaders, joined leader halfway, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened 1f out
The July course suits Bolodenka and he gets the nod over Danger Zone and Benedict, while Dream Tonic may have more to offer but he needs to be at his best to defy a 6lb penalty. Benedict is very much respected after his narrow defeat at the hands of the highly regarded Stronghold at Haydock last month. That was his best effort to date and he will be a big threat if he has thrived since then. Watch the market closely where he is concerned. Danger Zone is no stable star but has done enough to suggest that he can continue to pay his way this term. He is at the right end of the handicap and could be the surprise package of the race. However, Bolodenka is proving to be a tough and reliable performer and is fancied to be too hard to master now that he has rediscovered winning ways.
Bolodenka (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Poker Player (8-13) by a hd, 17 ran.
Benedict 10-1 (8-12) Pulled hard, raced far side, close up, lost place 3f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Stronghold (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (3) gs in Jul.
Desert Lightning (IRE) 4-9fav (8-7) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, hung badly right approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead post, won at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (D3) pol in Feb beating Sergeant Lewis (8-7) by a nk, 14 ran.
Restoration (FR) 10-1 (9-7) Raced stand's side, held up in rear, not clear run 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, ridden inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 18, nk behind La Bella Grande (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Poker Player (IRE) 7-2fav (8-13) Led, clear halfway, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 17, hd behind Bolodenka (8-13) at Newmarket 1m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Penalty Kick (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 5l behind Ali D (8-10) at Newmarket 1m hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Rustler 9-2 (8-8) Prominent, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Group Captain (8-12) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Bobski (IRE) 7-4fav (8-11) Slowly into stride, in rear, not clear run and switched left 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, kept on, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Mineral Star (8-13) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (3) gd.
Sohgol (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Dwelt and soon prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf in Jul beating Sake (8-3) by a nk, 10 ran.
Dream Tonic 11-4fav (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ran on strongly to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf beating Dante's Diamond (9-0) by 2l, 12 ran.
Danger Zone 9-4fav (9-7) Dwelt, raced stand side and held up in rear, headway 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Special Lad (8-11) at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
