held up behind, steady headway before 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, ridden to challenge last, led flat, stayed on
held up in 4th, headway to track leading pair after 4 out, led before 2 out, ridden and headed flat, no extra
led, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, challenged 3 out to next, soon ridden and one pace, no impression approaching last
held up behind, not fluent 5th, chased leaders 3 out, outpaced before next, soon weakened
tracked leading pair, lost place after 4 out, soon ridden and behind, tailed off 2 out
Nodforms Violet should be found a race this summer but we prefer DEFINITE ALL STAR here. Gordon Elliott has an impressive 30% strike-rate at Perth over the past five seasons so his raiders have to be respected. Definite All Star ran well on his first run for over six months at Limerick last time, in the process suggesting quick ground isn't a problem, and connections appear to have targeted a particularly weak contest so he can add to his bumper victory by beating Nodforms Violet. Karen McLintock's gelding returned from a similar absence to take third at Aintree last time over 2m4f. This represents not just a drop in trip but a drop in grade too and both factors add to his chance. Some of his bumper form reads particularly well and the booking of Graham Lee suggests a big run is on the cards. Devotion To Duty may prefer a bit of rain but must have claims if able to bring his undoubted flat ability to the table. He's got form over hurdles too having taken second to the decent Hunterview in the spring. Baaher is rated 108 and struggled off that mark in handicap company last time, so it'll be a slight surprise if this exposed sort proves good enough. The others make no appeal, so we'll return to Definite All Star.
Baaher (USA) 10-3 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway and effort into 4th 3 out, weakened approaching next, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Summer Soul (10-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in May.
Definite All Star (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 6th, progress halfway, close 3rd 3 out, one pace from next, 5th of 18, 9l behind Rayhani (11-12) at Limerick 2m mdn hdl gf.
Desert Soul 8-1 (9-12) Led before 1st, hit 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, kept on under pressure and every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Sumak (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Nodforms Violet (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Led until 1st, pressed leader until 7th, remained close up, weakened 2 out, blundered last, 3rd of 5, 36l behind Solway Sam (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Devotion To Duty (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) Soon chasing leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, weakening when hit last, 4th of 8, 18l behind Praxiteles (10-12) at Aintree 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Shahramore 100-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 13, well behind Riverscape (10-12) at Perth 2m nh nov hdl (4) gf.
Oh Landino (GER) 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, hit 4th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 11, 31l behind Twentynineblack (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
