chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace
soon chased winner, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
made all, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well
tracked leaders, pushed along over 1f out, soon weakened
in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, chased winner 1f out, kept on, always held
Philosophers Stone may improve for winning at Catterick last time but it was a weak maiden and David Barron's gelding is taken on with SOLSTICE, while Ignatieff looks next best. The last-named is weighted to be very competitive today, as he has been on his last two starts at Windsor. A sound surface and this trip see him at his best and he should be thereabouts. Danny's Choice is a rare raider at the track for Ralph Beckett and both of her wins have been on decent ground. She has been dropped a further 1lb by the assessor since her recent comfortable defeat and she will probably find a couple too good again. Dispol Keasha has to show a marked turn around in fortunes to be winning this on recent evidence and we prefer the claims of Solstice. There was no shame in being beaten by the progressive Kelly's Eye at Ripon last time out, nor in her previous effort at that track when making the frame. She looks to be on a decent mark today, and in spite of her pedigree suggesting otherwise, her style of running suggests that this first try at the minimum trip can be a successful one.
Danny's Choice 11-4 (9-7) Raced on rail, broke well, took keen hold, soon steadied into last trio, pushed along halfway, reminder and kept on inside final furlong, never near leaders, 5th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Kingsgate Choice (9-3) at Windsor 5f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Solstice 12-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, driven 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 7l behind Kellys Eye (9-2) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Ignatieff (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no impression, lost 2nd final 50 yards, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Kingsgate Choice (9-3) at Windsor 5f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Dispol Keasha 18-1 (9-1) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased entering final furlong, last of 11, 35l behind Hoof It (8-11) at York 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Philosophers Stone (FR) 8-15fav (9-3) Soon pressing leader, ridden over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Catterick 5f 3yo mdn aut (6) gf in May beating Loss Leader (8-12) by 1l, 8 ran.