raced keenly, held up in 4th place, 3rd on outside over 3f out, every chance 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened into 4th close home
steadied start, held up in 3rd place until over 3f out, headway into 3rd again close home, never able to challenge
made all and set even pace, ridden over 1f out, stayed on gamely
chased winner throughout, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
raced keenly, held up last, closer on outside over 2f out, soon pushed along, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, eased when no chance
Saikung won a lower grade contest at Haydock last time and has also been raised 3lb while ALFRED BOUCHER (NAP) won a novices race over 7f on the Turf at Lingfield last month for Henry Candy’s in-form yard. Pedigree and Ryan Moore’s presence suggest further progress is expected over this longer trip and he gets the vote with the rest of the opposition struggling to find their best. Of those, House Of Kings drops down in class and may get involved while Big Baby Bull won a nursery last season but has failed to figure so far this year. Athmad is upped in trip today while James Park Woods drops back down from 1m4f.
Athmad (IRE) 12-1 (9-5) Held up in last pair, headway down outside over 1f out, plugged on inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Make A Wish (8-11) at Sandown 7f hcp (3) gf in Jul.
House Of Kings (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Pulled hard, chased leaders on inside, outpaced when not clear run on rail inside final 2f, soon switched right, plugged on final furlong, lost 3rd final strides, 4th of 6, 4 1/4l behind Global Gift (9-3) at Doncaster 1m hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Alfred Boucher 5-6fav (9-1) With leader, led narrowly 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, won at Lingfield 7f stks (6) gf in Jun beating Voltaic (9-1) by 1l, 7 ran.
James Park Woods (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Held up in rear, pushed along briefly 7f out, ridden well over 1f out, no response, 6th of 7, 12 1/4l behind Cape Islay (9-4) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Saikung (IRE) 13-8jfav (9-3) Slowly into stride, raced keenly, in touch in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, soon ridden, joined leader inside final furlong, wanted to edge left, led inside final 50 yards, stayed on, won at Haydock 1m hcp fll (5) gf in Jul beating Just My Type (9-7) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Big Baby Bull (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 11 1/2l behind Oasis Prince (9-6) at Haydock 1m hcp (3) gs in May.
