led from 1st, quickened on bit after 3 out, shakened up 2 out, comfortably (hand timed)
in touch, chased leader 4th, challenged 3 out, ridden and lost touch with winner after approaching 2 out, one pace after
always behind, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression
led to 1st, chased leader, not fluent 4th, lost touch, tailed off from 3 out
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon lost touch
prominent, ridden and weakened quickly after 4th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up after
Kanpai and Grand Slam Hero look set to fight this out between them, with First Thought likely to chase them home, and we take Grand Slam Hero to do the business. Peter Bowen's gelding comes here in decent form, having won here last time, and he also possesses plenty of stamina should this become a test. His recent form stands up to anything else brought to the party here and the fact that he is proven over the trip means we prefer him to Kanpai. John O'Shea's four-year-old has won three of his last four starts, and is clearly bang in form. However, he has to prove that he genuinely gets this far, as he has been found wanting in the past and so he is opposed. Next best looks to be First Thought. He acts with cut and stays all of this trip and more, but he has 20lb to find on official ratings and can safely be taken on with Grand Slam Hero, who gets our vote.
Kanpai (IRE) 5-4fav (11-3) Made all, not fluent 5th, ridden clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Jul beating Nesnaas (10-8) by 10l, 5 ran.
Grand Slam Hero (IRE) 4-6fav (11-2) Held up in touch, led 3 out, ridden 2 out, clear approaching last comfortably, won at N Abbot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf beating Vintage Fabric (10-10) by 8l, 8 ran.
Linden Boy (IRE) Van Der Linden gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Rathlin Island 25-1 (9-11) Led, bumped by loose horse approaching 5th and carried out 5 out in race won by Hunting Lodge (9-10) at N Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jun, 6 ran.
First Thought 7-2 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 9th, stayed on after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 10, 23l behind Wee Danny (9-13) at N Abbot 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Working Girl 7-2 (11-9) 2nd of 8, 3l behind Eastworth Grange (12-0) at Lifton 3m ptp gd in Apr '05.