mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next
held up, always in rear, blundered 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, led briefly after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, every chance last, kept on, just held
tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leader to after 4th, outpaced in 3rd before 3 out, rallied and every chance last, ridden to lead narrowly flat, just held on
mid-division, chased leaders under pressure after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression
led, mistake and headed briefly after 4 out, hard driven before 2 out, ridden between last 2, hard pressed last, headed flat, no extra
behind, struggling 4th, never dangerous
Search parties have been needed to find some of these runners of late but, in a difficult race, ARCHIPELIGO is fancied to get off the mark. Iain Jardine’s inmate had a recent run on the Flat at Hamilton and with fitness assured his inexperienced pilot can make his claim count. Grand Meister cut little ice on three previous starts though these did take place on much softer going. Gordon Elliott won this race in 2014 and he sends out two fascinating runners in Padre Tito and End Of Line. Neither has troubled the judge over hurdles though the latter ran in the French 2,000 Guineas a couple of years ago. Hallingham was entered to run at Musselburgh on Saturday but would be a player if turning out here instead.
Grand Meister 10-3 (9-9) Held up in 4th or 5th, closed over 3f out, outpaced and edged right from over 1f out, 5th of 6, 8 1/2l behind Shrewd (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
End of Line 12-1 (11-12) Raced in 15th early, headway 3 out, no impression and kept on same pace from before last, 10th of 20, 21 1/2l behind Shan Dun Na Ngall (11-7) at Down Royal 2m hcp gd in May.
Padre Tito (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Mid-division, slightly impeded 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon no extra and eased approaching last, 17th of 25, dist behind Bye Bye O Bye (11-9) at Punchestown 3m hcp gd in May.
Exclusive Waters (IRE) 20-1 (9-1) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, some headway when not much room over 2f out, no impression, 11th of 14, 15 3/4l behind Briardale (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in May.
Dubai Shen (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Held up in last pair, outpaced when hampered 3 out, went remote 4th between last 2, no chance with leaders, 4th of 7, 30l behind Caius Marcius (10-13) at Hexham 2m (4) gs in Apr.
Archipeligo 8-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Muhaafiz (9-7) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Hallingham 4-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead before the last, narrowly headed last, weakened run-in and lost 2nd in closing strages, 3rd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Sir Dylan (12-4) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in May.
Tish Hall (IRE) 3-1fav (10-0) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 36 1/2l behind Magnolia Ridge (11-2) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in May.
