tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon strongly challenged, kept on well under pressure
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, soon hung left and no impression
held up in touch, headway and every chance over 1f out, soon ridden and no extra
led, headed over 1f out, kept on well under pressure
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The best handicap on the card this contest, and given the way Mark Johnston's runners are going at the moment, it's hard to ignore the claims of PRIDE OF KINGS, who we marginally prefer to Maswerte and Sovereign Remedy. The selection is in the rudest of form, with two wins and places in his last four outings. It's a step up in class, but one we feel he can handle. He's giving weight away to all bar Sovereign Remedy, who may be carrying too much. He's not progressed as hoped after winning second time out in May, having not raced as a two year old. Maswerte is upped in trip and class, but is open to improvement. He showed good attitude and ability when winning his handicap debut, and nearly breached a big gulf in class when racing in a much better contest at Sandown, only to be narrowly beaten. The step up to a mile looks to be a positive. However, last year the Johnston yard won this contest, and we think they will again, this time with Pride of Kings.
Bravo Echo 15-2 (9-8) Raced wide in touch, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, driven and flashed tail inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Cyflymder (9-8) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Maswerte (IRE) 15-8fav (9-0) Tracked leading pair, not clear run over 2f out, soon slightly outpaced, driven and headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd final 75 yards, finished well, not reached winner, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Cyflymder (9-7) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Sunshine Always (IRE) 9-4 (9-2) Held up in rear, steady headway over 2f out, driven to challenge over 1f out, ridden and kept on and every chance final furlong, just held, 2nd of 4, shd behind Tiger Reigns (9-4) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Jun.
Aim To Achieve (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Prominent, led over 2f out to just over 1f out, rallied to lead again well inside final furlong, held on, won at Kempton 1m mdn stks (4) pol in Jun beating Toolentidhaar (9-8) by shd, 12 ran.
Sovereign Remedy (USA) 7-2 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway to track leaders over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Brief Encounter (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Pride of Kings 10-11fav (8-6) Tracked leader, led inside final 3f, ridden over 1f out, soon edging left, ran on and always just in command, won at Haydock 1m hcp 0-95 (3) fm beating Flipando (10-0) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Kings Troop 25-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden over 3f, soon beaten, 16th of 18, 13l behind Henderson Park (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Tarzan (IRE) 13-8fav (9-7) Tracked leader, came standside over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 9l behind Northern Spy (9-1) at Epsom Downs 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
