made all, clear when ridden entering final furlong, ran on well, unchallenged
held up in 4th, ridden over 3f out, switched left 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged right well over 1f out, soon beaten
held up in 5th, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked winner, ridden and edged right over 1f out, soon no impression
CLASSIC PUNCH may be man enough to give 22lbs to Abergavenny who is likely to be short enough in the market whilst Follow The Flag and Arizona John are closely matched on their form at Pontefract last month and should have a say in the outcome. Abergavenny is sure to hold a prominent position in the market as a lightly raced progressive runner from Mark Johnston's yard and he showed good battling qualities to defy a drift in the betting in a tight Windsor handicap in which Sequillo could finish only fourth. He'll need to progress again in order to follow up and could be worth opposing with Classic Punch who is able to race from the same mark as when second over course and distance in June. He's only finished out of the frame once in six visits here and looks a rock solid each-way option if sent off at a big enough price. Strategic Mission has plenty to prove, Cwm Rhondda and Sedgwick may find this too competitive but Classic Punch has plenty of form in better races than this and should go close.
Classic Punch (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Led, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Reve De Nuit (9-6) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 22-1 (9-10) Mid-division, headway to have every chance over 1f out, driven and ran on near finish, 3rd of 15, 1l behind Suited And Booted (9-6) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Arizona John (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) In touch, outpaced over 4f out, kept on final furlong, 6th of 9, 8l behind Greylami (10-0) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Strategic Mission (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Behind most of way, 9th of 13, 21l behind Emerging Artist (9-5) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Sequillo 7-1 (10-0) Held up last, stayed on stands rail in straight, ridden and not on terms 2f out, no impression when switched left over 1f out, 4th of 6, 6l behind Abergavenny (8-12) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Cwm Rhondda (USA) 7-1 (9-5) Reared start, very slowly away, lost many lengths, headway on inside 2f out, weakened 1f out, 12th of 13, 12l behind Agapanthus (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Abergavenny 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, carried left towards centre of course well over 2f out, led narrowly just inside final 2f, strongly pressed and kept slight advantage when carried left towards finish, just held on, very game, won at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Geneva Geyser (10-3) by shd, 6 ran.
Sedgwick 9-1 (9-5) Keen in rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 8, 2 3/4l behind King's Colour (9-11) at Epsom Downs 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
