keen in touch, ridden 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to challenge
steadied start, in rear, ridden 3f out, never a factor
tracked winner, ridden 3f out, outpaced by winner over 1f out, lost 2nd near finish
in touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
towards rear, never a factor
dwelt, soon tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
in rear, headway on inside over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
made all, shaken up over 1f out, soon clear, comfortably
very slowly away, pulled hard, headway to track leaders 7f out, weakened 3f out
held up in rear, ridden and headway on outer over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish
held up mid-division, outpaced 3f out
Nonrunner
Plenty of in form horses contest in what looks like a tough race to call but bottom weight EPIC could still be well treated and is taken to win with his penalty at the expense of Spoken and Scamperdale. The selection had dropped down the ratings in recent months only to scoot home off a mark of 63 at Doncaster last time out. Connections shave decided to run with a six pound penalty rather than wait to be reassessed. He has conditions to suit once again and if back to his best he will be difficult to oppose. Spoken is five pounds higher since winning at Bath last time out. That was his second career win and he looks a horse on the up grade so any market moves should be noted. Scamperdale has won three of his last four races rising twenty three pounds in the weights. He is five pounds higher since the latest of those wins and it just remains to be seen whether that is enough to stop him winning again. Plenty of horses in with a chance but Epic could have more up his sleeve and is worth staying on the right side of.
Scamperdale 12-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, headway 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden and kept on well inside final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf beating Ellemujie (9-7) by 1l, 7 ran.
Summer Winds 10-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, tracked leader after 1f, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 47l behind Ordoney (9-3) at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Norwegian Dancer (UAE) 7-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Scamperdale (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Wind Star 11-1 (8-10) Held up in touch, not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right, headway and switched left approaching final furlong, ridden to challenge, never reached winner, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind King Olav (9-4) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Donaldson (GER) 66-1 (9-4) Raced wide, keen towards rear, pushed along 4f out, soon outpaced, last of 13, 26l behind Emerging Artist (9-5) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Top Mark 11-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, moderate 3rd halfway, closer 2f out, ridden and no extra 1 1/2f out, 8th of 14, 12l behind Lake Pontchartrain (8-13) at Dundalk 1m 3f hcp pol in Nov '08.
Visions of Johanna (USA) 6-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Scamperdale (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Spoken 11-10fav (9-3) Set steady pace made all, pushed along and quickened over 2f out, driven and edged left inside final furlong, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Bath 1m hcp 0-80 (4) fm beating Jewelled (9-8) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Slowly away, behind, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 7th of 9, 5l behind Granny Mcphee (9-4) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Bahamian Music (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, challenged 2f out, ridden and evey chance over 1f out until inside final furlong, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 7, 4l behind Admire The View (9-3) at Doncaster 1m flls hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Epic (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, driven over 2f out, stayed on well under pressure to lead inside final furlong, drawing clear towards finish, won at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Grams And Ounces (9-1) by 4l, 8 ran.
Kindest 15-2 (9-8) Held up mid-division, driven over 4f out, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on well inside final furlong, never reached winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Jonny Lesters Hair (9-4) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
King Fingal (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, under pressure over 4f out, soon weakened, 13th of 18, 21l behind Desert Recluse (8-3) at York 1m 4f ladys hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
