in touch towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong
tracked leader, pushed to lead and edged right 2f out, ridden and ran on, idled towards finish
dwelt, in touch in rear, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, headed halfway, tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
dwelt, in touch, headway to track leaders 4f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner towards finish
tracked leaders, led halfway, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace
in touch, headway to track leaders 4f out, ridden over 1f out, driven edged left and kept on one pace final furlong
The Gatekeeper is looking to confirm recent running over track and trip on worse terms with Star Of Orion and Persuasion, who filled the places. But MONTASSIB would have gone close at Haydock if the gaps had appeared earlier and the Haggas charge gets the vote with normal luck in-running. Air To Air is fitted with a tongue-tie having finished second at Newcastle back in January while Witch Hunter posted one of his better efforts at Chester and is preferred to Chola Empire.
Witch Hunter (FR) 50-1 (9-9) Slow into stride, towards rear, pushed along and headway entering final furlong, ran on to go 2nd final strides, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Revich (8-12) at Chester 1m hcp (2) sft in May.
Montassib 3-1fav (9-2) Steadied start, held up towards rear, not clear run over 1f out, ran inside final furlong, went 4th final 100 yards, ran on, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 2l behind Rainbow Fire (8-13) at Haydock 7f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Air To Air 5-1 (9-2) Steadied and switched left start, held up in rear, headway far side of group and switched left 2f out, went 2nd under pressure inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Zip (8-7) at Newcastle 7f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
The Gatekeeper (IRE) 10-3jfav (8-11) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on gamely, won at Newmarket 7f hcp (2) gd in May beating Star Of Orion (8-12) by 1l, 8 ran.
Star Of Orion (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Dwelt, in touch, pushed along and headway over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1l behind The Gatekeeper (8-11) at Newmarket 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Persuasion (IRE) 15-2 (8-8) Keen in touch, pushed along and headway over 1f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind The Gatekeeper (8-11) at Newmarket 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Chola Empire 6-4fav (9-11) Held up rear of mid-division, headway when not much room over 1f out, switched left entering final furlong, challenged towards finish, just held, 2nd of 9, shd behind Letmelivemylife (9-8) at Chelmsford City 7f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
