slow into stride, in rear, never a factor
in rear, never near leaders
always towards rear
keen in touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong
mid-division, effort 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on one pace
in touch, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on
raced wide tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, headway over 2f out to track leaders, ridden over 1f out, no impression final furlong
This has been a tricky puzzle to solve in recent years, with no favourite winning it in the last seven renewals, and our preference in something of a betting minefield is DANCE THE STAR, ahead of Pentathlon and Shabak Hom. Ed Dunlop won this race last year and his Dance The Star is way ahead of these ratings wise, but consequently having to give away a fair chunk of weight. His three wins since losing his maiden tag have all come on the Polytrack, but on good ground we're not so concerned about that. A big positive is the step back in trip for him as there've been concerns about stamina over further, particularly when stepped up to two miles last time. Pentathlon's last run can be forgiven on handicap debut and he's down a few pounds now, although in time he may prove to be an all-weather specialist. Shabak Hom is from an in-form yard and won well at Ffos Las last time out. He seems to like this trip, and although he's not the most straightforward there looks to be more improvement to come. However we'll side with Dance The Star.
Dance The Star (USA) 15-2 (9-8) Steadied in rear, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 4th of 7, 5l behind Gala Evening (9-7) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar.
Ellemujie 6-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, in rear, switched right over 2f out, headway over 1f out, chased winner entering final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Scamperdale (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Prince Of Johanne (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, switched left over 2f out, never on terms, 6th of 7, 16l behind La De Two (10-0) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Critical Path (IRE) 5-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, just held on, won at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jun beating King's Masque (9-7) by shd, 10 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.
Archie Rice (USA) 9-2 (9-5) Keen, tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Rosco Flyer (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3f app hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Lord Theo 12-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, switched left to inside just over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, no extra near finish, 5th of 15, 1l behind Aviso (9-1) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Pentathlon (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Held up in touch, weakened 3f out, last of 8, 39l behind Goodwood Starlight (9-3) at Epsom Downs 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Chain Of Events 25-1 (8-4) Steadied start, held up in 6th, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten leading trio, 4th of 7, 4l behind Cumulus Nimbus (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Shabak Hom (IRE) 4-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, led over 2f out, soon hard driven, stayed on well under pressure, won at Ffos Las 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Aragall (9-9) by 2l, 8 ran.
