mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish
soon tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, driven out
fly jumped start, pulled hard, set steady pace, quickened 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, hung left over 1f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong
keen tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, hampered over 1f out, driven and ran on to take 2nd near finish
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly away, keen mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
BUDDY HOLLY looks the pick of the last-time out winners and is taken to repeat his win at Kempton just nine days ago. The selection goes unpenalised for that win, indeed he is somehow able to race off a mark 1lb lower today before his new mark kicks in in the future. Wiggy Smith has plenty of experience but plenty of weight to shoulder, so a bigger threat may be Agapanthus who was a winner when last seen at Yarmouth in April. Barliffey should improve for a recent outing, whilst Summer Winds would be interesting if supported in the betting; he never looked like playing a hand last time at Sandown but is better judged on his win over this course and distance in May. Elliptical and Manshoor need to improve on their latest runs, whilst Nassar races off a mark of 64, still some 10lb higher than his highest win (both wins on the all-weather). This looks a good chance for Buddy Holly to win again.
Wiggy Smith 6-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, headway on outer and kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to get competitive, 7th of 11, 7l behind Mountain Pride (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Summer Winds 14-1 (9-2) Always behind, last of 11, 10l behind Cosmea (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Buddy Holly 10-1 (9-3) Made all, pushed 3f out, ridden out, won at Kempton 1m 2f (4) pol beating Falcon Rock (9-3) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Manshoor (IRE) 20-1 (8-8) Held up towards finish, 8th straight, effort on outside over 2f out, carried right inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out and soon eased, 7th of 10, 5l behind Seeking The Buck (9-1) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp (2) gd.
Agapanthus (GER) 4-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, all out, won at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr beating Sri Kuantan (8-8) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Nassar (IRE) 9-1 (8-7) Slowly away, behind, pushed along and headway over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, 4th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Surprise Pension (7-11) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Barliffey (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, not pace to challenge, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Cosmea (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Elliptical (USA) 14-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden on inside 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 14th of 17, 20l behind River Captain (9-1) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
