in touch on outer, ridden and weakened over 1f out
always in rear
led, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, no extra and lost 3rd close home
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 3rd close up
tracked leader, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, headed towards finish
prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, short of room 3f out, switched left halfway, never on terms
hel up, ridden 2f out, not pace to challenge
Face The Problem has found life tough this year, though Matthew Lawson's 7lb claim will aid his cause here. But he may still struggle to get the better of STEPS, who showed the benefit of a comeback run at Chester when making virtually all under a big weight over 6f at Leicester next time. He is fancied to follow up here as the drop to 5f shouldn't be a problem on this stiff track as there will be plenty of pace in the race from the likes of Muffraaj, who made all at Windsor last time, and Apace. Sir Michael Stoute's filly returned to winning ways at Haydock last month, though the form of that race hasn't worked out. Quality Art has never finished out of the first two since making his debut at Sandown a year ago but was no match for the selection on the all-weather in December and is worse off at the weights here. Coeus and Ballista have place claims on their best form however.
Face The Problem (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) In touch, ridden and one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 7, 5l behind Barnet Fair (7-11) at Musselburgh 5f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Excello 20-1 (8-12) Raced alone on stands side rail, on terms with leaders until halfway, weakened soon after, 10th of 12, 16l behind Electric Waves (8-12) at Newbury 5f 2yo fll Listed stks (1) gd in Aug.
Quality Art (USA) 8-13fav (9-7) Good speed to cross over and lead on rail, ran on well final furlong, well in command when shaken up towards finish, won at Windsor 5f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May beating Style And Panache (8-11) by 1l, 7 ran.
Coeus 4-1 (8-4) Went left start, pulled hard early, held up tracking leaders, effort travelling well 2f out, ridden to challenge and every chance 1f out, faded towards finish, 4th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Winter's Night (8-4) at Ascot 7f 3yo hcp (2) gf in May.
Ballista (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Lord Avon (9-3) at Chester 5f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Steps (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Led after 1f, made rest, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Leicester 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May beating Roman Strait (8-7) by 2l, 8 ran.
Apace (IRE) 2-1fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Haydock 5f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May beating Gottcher (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Muffraaj 2-1fav (9-0) Made all, shaken up over 1f out, ridden and edged slightly left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Windsor 6f 3yo stk 0-75 (5) gs beating Expose (9-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
