in rear, headway 3f out, led 2f, soon ridden and edged left, headed inside final furlong, one pace
tracked leaders, led 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace
close up, ridden 4f out, rider dropped whip 3f out, kept on one pace final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, led and edged right inside final furlong, asserted near finish
led, ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, pushed along 4f out, ridden and kept on one pace from over 12f out
keen, held up, weakened 3f out
Nonrunner
An interesting move from Andrew Balding with lightly-raced BAND OF THUNDER who was significantly upped to two miles for his handicap debut when well supported at Chepstow, only beaten a length into fourth, staying on well. However, connections opt to drop back half a mile now despite his obvious stamina and the hint is worth taking. He looks well handicapped and should progress further. Jeu De Vivre has been well placed to land two successes and like many fillies from the yard could improve significantly in the second half of the campaign but does have to concede the selection over a stone. Apparel and Bright Abbey could do better in handicaps, whilst Maher and O Ma Lad look harshly treated for what they've achieved to date.
Maher (USA) 6-1 (8-11) Awkward leaving stalls, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 7, 19l behind On The Feather (9-6) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Jeu De Vivre (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) With leader, led well over 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 12l behind Eltheeb (10-0) at Hamilton 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Bright Abbey 40-1 (9-0) Always behind, never a factor, 9th of 11, 14l behind Gatewood (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun.
Apparel (IRE) 11-1 (9-6) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, never on terms, well held final furlong, 6th of 8, 8l behind Dubai Glory (9-12) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May.
Grecian Goddess (IRE) 33-1 (7-13) Towards rear, ridden and struggling when hampered over 4f out, tailed off, last of 9, 32l behind Cunning Act (9-5) at Sandown 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Band Of Thunder 3-1fav (8-6) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon hard ridden, never able to challenge, 4th of 12, 1l behind Blazing Buck (9-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp 0-60 (6) sft.
Varlak 40-1 (7-12) Close up, weakened over 2f out, 11th of 12, 39l behind Proud Chieftain (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
O Ma Lad (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Chased winner, ridden over 3f out, no chance with winner when dropped to 3rd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Lady Chloe (8-8) at Redcar 1m 2f mdn auc stks (5) gf in May.
Rasteau (IRE) 50-1 (8-3) Led, headed after about 3f, tracked leader, pushed along over 6f out, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, last of 9, well behind Susan Stroman (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.