steadied start, held up in rear in steadily run race, ridden over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, soon hung left, too much to do
tracked winner, ridden 2f out, no impression final furlong
held up off the pace in steadily run race, switched left over 2f out, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
keen, close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on
raced keenly, held up well in rear in steadily run race, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
Nonrunner
A competitive handicap where Cwm Rhondda will be popular in seeking a hat-trick, but we will side with GRAYLYN RUBY to follow up a recent Yarmouth success of his own. Jonathan Jay's four-year-old was enjoying his first turf win in 12 attempts when obliging last month with more up his sleeve than the official margin suggested. A sound surface and this sort of trip are ideal conditions for him and he is just 1lb above his highest winning mark, which is far from insurmountable. Cwm Rhondda reeled off a couple of 10f Yarmouth wins in May and again, he wants a sound or fast surface. Pedigree suggests that this may be stretching his stamina a little if they go a true gallop and an 8lb rise means that we are prepared to take him on. The trip is ideal for Saloon, who has won two and been runner-up twice in his last four starts. He appears to go on any ground and from the same mark today he has to be considered a major player. Apache Fort has won over course and distance from 1lb higher in the past, so is not totally ruled out despite his inconsistency, while Falcon Rock is open to improvement after just four runs, though he is not a certain stayer. Graylyn Ruby gets the vote.
Saloon (USA) 2-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, driven and no extra close home, 2nd of 4, shd behind Gloucester (9-2) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
La Rosa Nostra 6-1 (9-2) Soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Cosmea (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Cwm Rhondda (USA) 4-5fav (9-3) Held up in touch, headway to challenge well over 2f out, led 1f out, driven clear inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in May beating Iceman George (8-12) by 4l, 16 ran.
Graylyn Ruby (FR) 7-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, switched right and headway from over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, won at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-65 (6) gd in May beating Granary Girl (8-6) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Silent Applause 13-2 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon driven and no extra, 7th of 13, 14l behind She's So Pretty (9-6) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
City Stable (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Held up in mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 6l behind Medieval Maiden (9-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol.
Apache Fort 11-1 (8-7) Held up, chased leaders 2f out, kept on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Rotative (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Falcon Rock (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, switched left, kept on to take 2nd close home, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Buddy Holly (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f (4) pol.
