held up towards rear, switched right and headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on gamely
in touch, driven over 1f out, led briefly entering final furlong, headed and kept on same pace
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders to halfway
dwelt and behind, soon ridden along, some late headway, never reached challenging position
led, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
Nonrunner
Valery Borzov can continue his progression up the ranks by landing this contest. Dangers include High Curragh and Pearly Wey. The selection didn't quite go on as expected after winning his first two starts but has hit form with a vengeance of late and was mightily impressive when slamming High Curragh by three and three quarter lengths at Thirsk. He's 10lbs higher as a result so clearly has work to do to confirm the form but it would be no surprise were he to do so. Kevin Ryan's charge is an obvious threat on the revised terms whilst Pearly Wey developed into a useful sprinter last term and must be respected although he will need to be operating at his best to make a winning return from his current mark. Malcheek has run well here in the past and neither he nor Swinbrook are dismissed but Valery Borzov is taken to defy the handicapper and take the gold medal position.
Rising Shadow (IRE) 100-1 (9-7) Slowly away, always towards rear, 15th of 17, 11l behind Assertive (9-7) at York 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Valery Borzov (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-0) Made all, ridden clear entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May beating High Curragh (9-4) by 4l, 13 ran.
High Curragh 11-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, headway over 1f out, stayed inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Valery Borzov (9-0) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May.
Dazzling Bay 33-1 (8-7) Held up, badly hampered after 1f, not recover, 12th of 14, 9l behind Dhaular Dhar (8-10) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct '06.
Grazeon Gold Blend 16-1 (9-4) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 11, 14l behind Namir (8-1) at Beverley 5f hcap (4) gd in May.
Bel Cantor 7-1 (9-1) Soon led, headed after 2f and remained in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 12l behind Daaweitza (9-0) at Catterick 7f hcap (4) gd in May.
Swinbrook (USA) 6-1 (8-7) Behind, ridden 2f out, effort when hampered inside final furlong, kept on, 6th of 13, 8l behind Valery Borzov (9-0) at Thirsk 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May.
Mutamared (USA) 12-1 (9-4) Steadied at start, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 8th of 15, 9l behind Tombi (8-13) at York 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May.
Pearly Wey 16-1 (8-9) Soon behind stands side, never dangerous, 27th of 28, 13l behind Advanced (9-9) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Malcheek (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 15, 8l behind Tombi (8-13) at York 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May.
