steadied start, held up in 4th, went 3rd just over 2f out, soon no chance with winner, went 2nd near finish
raced keenly, made all, pushed 5 lengths clear 2f out, kept on strongly, eased near finish, unchallenged
took keen hold, chased winner until over 2f out, soon weakened, eased when no chance final furlong, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 2f out, soon no chance with unchallenged winner, lost 2nd near finish
always in rear, pushed along and struggling over 3f out, poor 4th over 1f out, tailed off
There was plenty to like about the way NURAI won here last month and Paul D'Arcy's filly can defy a 6lb penalty and repeat the feat at the main expense of Dutiful and Vito Volterra. The selection was given a good ride last time by Franny Norton. She took the race by the scruff of the neck over a furlong out and soon had the measure of her rivals. Her extra reserves of stamina will serve her well again today and she can score. Dutiful ran on well to land a Leicester handicap last month and has gone up 5lbs as a result. Fast ground suits and this testing track may also serve him well so he is much respected. Vito Volterra went very close at Newcastle, but was just nailed on the line over this trip and his stamina will really be put to the test against some of today's opponents. Danceintothelight was showing promise but has recently been in sellers and claimers and appears to have a bit to prove and Nurai is the one for us. Jonathan Doidge.
Dutiful 14-1 (8-10) In rear, headway over 1f out, effort to lead between horses inside final furlong, ran on, won at Leicester 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun beating Rock The Stars (8-8) by 1l, 7 ran.
Vito Volterra (IRE) 15-2 (8-7) Led, ridden over 2f out, kept on, headed close home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Elmfield Giant (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Director General (USA) 28-1 (8-10) Prominent, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Strike A Deal (8-8) at Redcar 1m mdn auc stks (6) gd in Jun.
Danceintothelight 5-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Dane Cottage (8-12) at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) gf in Jun.
Sixties Rock 13-2 (7-12) In touch, hung right over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Maze (9-9) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Battle Study (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Dwelt, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, never nearer, 4th of 11, 15l behind Dane Cottage (8-12) at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) gf in Jun.
Nurai 9-4fav (8-0) Dwelt, held up, ridden 3f out, headway on inside to lead 2f out, clear entering final furlong, eased near finish, won at Pontefract 1m fll hcp (5) gf in Jun beating Wiseman's Diamond (9-9) by 2l, 7 ran.
Paphos 16-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, mid-division, jumped path after 1f, hard driven halfway, soon beaten, eased, last of 9, 26l behind Barlaman (9-3) at Brighton 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
