raced centre, held up, ridden halfway, never on terms
raced centre, chased leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led centre group and on terms, ridden over 1f out, ran on to be overall leader well inside final furlong
raced far side, held up, edged right over 2f out, never dangerous
raced centre, held up, ridden halfway, never on terms
raced far side, tracked leader, led and overall leader 2f out, edged left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
raced far side, prominent, effort well over 1f out, soon weakened
raced centre, awkward start, soon chasing winner, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace
steadied start, tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened final furlong
led far side group and overall leader, headed over 2f, soon weakened
A number of in-form rivals contest the finale and King's Bastion receives the tentative vote ahead of Windjammer and Mandurah. King's Bastion showed his first placed form for some time when second to the progressive Sandrey at Lingfield, but it is worth noting that he had been campaigned in far stronger company than this. A drop in trip is a worry but the going should bring his stamina into play. Windjammer is likely to be the number one reason for Tim Easterby's journey to headquarters. He won well at Musselburgh on fast ground and is one that has improved from plating marks. Mandurah has ability but is inconsistent. He held off Morinqua in a tight finish at Haydock but was in receipt of over a stone in weight. Rebel Duke ran well on a return to turf following victory on the all-weather. Charlotte Grey has never obliged on the turf but comes here fit from a success at Wolverhampton. As an inmate from the Conrad Allen stable, the market is watched cautiously. Bookiesindex Boy has it to prove on this surface. A tough race in which King's Bastion is offered as the most tentative of selections.
King's Bastion (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, not trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Sandrey (9-3) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs.
Rebel Duke (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Close up, ridden along over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Daddy Cool (8-1) at Thirsk 5f 3yo hcp (3) frm in Apr.
Fathom Five (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 15, 7l behind Baltimore Jack (9-1) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Loves Bidding 8-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 14l behind Just Joey (9-7) at Haydock 5f 2yo hcp (5) gf in Aug.
Bookiesindex Boy 14-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Off The Record (8-13) at Southwell 5f 3yo hcp (4) fbs in Apr.
Retaliate 25-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden, weakened over 2f out, well behind when eased final furlong, last of 10, 29l behind Arch of Titus (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Windjammer 4-6fav (9-2) Prominent, led over 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, driven out, easily, won at Musselburgh 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf beating Smirfys Gold (8-9) by 2l, 7 ran.
Mandurah (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Haydock 5f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr beating Morinqua (9-7) by a nk, 11 ran.
