raced far side, held up, headway 3f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, edged left, ran on
raced far side, tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced far side, held up, never troubled leaders
raced far side, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced centre, prominent, hung left and weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, raced far side, close up, lost place 3f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to take 2nd near finish
raced far side, close up, slightly outpaced 3f out, headway to lead over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace
Skidrow gets the call over Stronghold, with Benedict and Pearl King adding to a likely tight-knit affair on paper. Having finished a creditable fifth to Mostashaar at the Royal meeting, it was no surprise when Skidrow justified plenty of support at Beverley next time, staying on well up the stiff finish under Hayley Turner. Michael Bell's colt carries a four-pound penalty but should play a leading role and is the pick in a competitive handicap. Strictly at the weights, Benedict has a first-rate chance of turning the tables on the selection after finishing third at Beverley, but he needs things to fall right, and will need them to go a good gallop to have a chance. Stronghold has topweight to overcome but battled his heart out when just held in third behind Profit's Reality at Sandown and will no doubt play a major part as well. As for Pearl King, he was having his first outing since being gelded when second to Paper Talk here at Newmarket, and is yet another that can be involved in the finish. Barry Hills won this last year with Tableau, and his runner Desert Imp was noted staying on behind Clinet over seven furlongs here last time. For the likely winner, we return to Skidrow.
Stronghold 7-4 (8-12) Held up in touch, led over 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, rallied but held towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Profit's Reality (9-2) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Skidrow 7-2co-fav (9-0) Held up behind leaders, switched left and ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Beverley 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd beating Hanseatic League (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Desert Imp 20-1 (9-3) Raced far side, in touch, ridden over 2f, ran on final furlong, 9th of 20, 7l behind Clinet (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 3yo fll hcp (2) gd.
Pearl King (IRE) 16-1 (8-2) Tracked winner, keen early, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Paper Talk (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (2) gf.
Lincolneurocruiser 66-1 (9-4) Prominent, every chance over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 4l behind All Ivory (9-5) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Benedict 7-2co-fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Skidrow (9-0) at Beverley 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd.
My Princess (IRE) 20-1 (7-9) Prominent, pulled hard early, outpaced final 2f, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Paper Talk (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (2) gf.
Peruvian Prince (USA) 13-2 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression, 8th of 11, 7l behind Wavertree Warrior (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (4) pol.
