raced wide in touch, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, headway entering final 2f, led over 1f out, ran on, eased towards finish
led 2f, tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led 8f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
keen in rear, headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, kept on same pace
close up, ridden and weakened 3f out
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
keen tracked leaders, went 2nd over 7f out until 3f out, weakened 2f out
Just 5lb between the eight runners tells its own story in a very tight contest. El Picador produced an improved showing to deliver the goods at Chepstow last time over this trip and will no doubt be well supported to repeat the dose. CORNCRAKE was also on the scoresheet the last day when making his handicap bow and the manner of his success was sufficiently impressive to suggest he can follow-up here on just a fifth career start. Kingson is hard to assess after a poor run last time and Fragrant Dawn may represent better each-way value in a trappy race.
El Picador (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Prominent, led over 7f out, clear when ridden over 1f out, reduced lead inside final furlong, never looked liked being caught, won at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in Jun beating Starczewski (9-6) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Corncrake 3-1jfav (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, led approaching final furlong, stayed on well, won at Haydock 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in Jun beating Dark Devil (10-0) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Fly Lightly 16-1 (9-1) Led, headed over 1f out, no extra towards finish, 4th of 13, 2l behind First In Line (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f stks (5) pol in Jun.
Fragrant Dawn 16-1 (9-7) Close up, ridden and headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Conundrum (9-5) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in May.
Kingson (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Always towards rear, outpaced over 3f out, 10th of 11, 12 1/2l behind Stringybark Creek (10-0) at Beverley 1m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Tronada 7-2 (9-7) Held up in last, headway 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Birdcage Walk (9-7) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp fll (5) hvy in Jun.
Vexed 5-2fav (9-5) Steadied start, held up well in rear, headway on outside hanging left 2f out, 4th and no impression final furlong, 4th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Earl Of Harrow (8-11) at Windsor 1m 3f hcp (5) gd in May.
Wanaasah 100-1 (9-0) Soon led, pushed along and headed 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 23 1/2l behind Mehdaayih (9-0) at Chester 1m 3f lst fll (1) gs in May.