held up behind leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, held
towards rear, headway over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
tracked winner, pushed along over 3f out, ridden when weakening over 1f out
made all, ridden clear over 1f out, kept on final furlong, held on
dwelt and soon mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
Swains Bridge gets the confident vote in the finale with Otranto and Hilltime the main dangers. The selection was well-backed when scoring at Yarmouth beating Ten Cents last week. He won with a little in hand that day and he is impossible to oppose with everything in his favour again today. Hilltime is back on the level after winning over hurdles last month. He may be capable of claiming a place here but the simple fact is that he is not as good on the flat as he is over timber. Otranto was a little disappointing at Chepstow last time but this colt has got some decent form in Dubai. This faster ground should help his cause today and he may give our selection the most to think about. Zarova is from a shrewd yard and is certainly worth a look in the market, but for the winner we are happy to stick with Swains Bridge.
Swains Bridge (USA) 2-1fav (10-0) Pulled hard, tracked leader, led on bit well over 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, soon in command, eased near finish, won at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) frm beating Ten Cents (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Finished Article (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) In rear, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, one pace, 4th of 15, 2l behind Dove Cottage (9-2) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Otranto (USA) 6-1 (8-8) Tracked winner, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 10l behind Tashkandi (9-7) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
Zarova (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, some headway until weakened final furlong, 4th of 11, 6l behind Kyle of Lochalsh (8-8) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) frm in Jun.
Hilltime (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Led, headed 9f out, remained prominent, switched right over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 10l behind Ramsgill (11-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f amt hcp (6) pol in May.
Rudaki 14-1 (9-11) In touch, headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind True (8-13) at Redcar 1m 2f clm (6) frm in Jun.
Splodger Mac (IRE) 22-1 (7-13) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 10l behind Sake (9-7) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
McCormack (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) In rear, some late headway from 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 9l behind Siena Star (9-2) at Warwick 1m 3f hcap (6) gf in Jun.
