led narrowly, headed over 4f out, driven and outpaced on outside over 2f out, soon lost place, hung left and weakened over 1f out
dwelt, took keen hold, soon in touch, headway on wide outside over 2f out, ridden and hung left well over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
chased leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden to chase leading trio well over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no impression
slowly into stride, soon in touch, led over 4f out, made rest, driven over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well, readily
with leader, outpaced 3f out, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, chased winner over 2f out, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra
King Kurt should relish the climb to the line while support for Like A Charm would be interesting, but LAMASAAS is clearly held in some regard and can make the long journey worthwhile. Barry Hills' expensive purchase attracted plenty of morning support ahead of his Ffos Las debut but was slowly away and showed distinct signs of inexperience. That he was beaten less than three lengths under a tender ride bodes well and he can enhance the trainer's 24% record with runners here in recent seasons. King Kurt also attracted support ahead of his last start but took a while to find his stride at Leicester. With that in mind Pontefract's stiff finish will help but perhaps he's best watched until awarded a handicap rating and diverted to nursery company. Like A Charm is the daughter of a horse who won over this trip on debut so needs a market check for a yard whose flat horses have done well this term, Norwegian Liberty is bred for speed and she caught the eye on debut having also been backed, while Richard Fahey's The Mellor Fella is surely capable of better. Roman Strait didn't show enough in an admittedly better heat that this when last seen and may once again see the wrong end of a Barry Hills-trained runner, this time Lamasaas.
King Kurt (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) Chased leaders, hard driven and effort over 2f out, soon outpaced, kept on well inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind None Shall Sleep (9-3) at Leicester 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Lamasaas (USA) 2-1fav (9-3) Started slowly, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on for hand riding inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Dozy Joe (9-0) at Ffos Las 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Jul.
Roman Strait 40-1 (9-3) Took keen hold, in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 13, 13l behind Shropshire (9-3) at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jul.
The Mellor Fella 40-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 7th of 10, 9l behind Easy Ticket (8-13) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn aut (4) gf in Jul.
Dance For Livvy (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 6l behind Alaskan Spirit (8-13) at Carlisle 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jul.
Like A Charm (IRE) Ad Valorem filly out of Midnight Pearl.
Norwegian Liberty (IRE) 11-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, outpaced when edged left over 1f out, stayed on same pace under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Thirteen Shivers (8-9) at Carlisle 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
