tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded final furlong
in touch, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, no impression final furlong
held up, effort when not clear run over 2f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
close up on outside, ridden and effort from 2f to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway on outside over 2f out, quickened to lead over 1f out, drew clear final furlong, comfortably
held up, headway on inside 2f out, staying on when not clear run over 1f out, switched left stayed on well final furlong, no impression
Although he has not won on soft ground before, Crocodile Bay handles cut well enough to suggest that he can take this on ground likely to be slower than at the time of writing, while if the rains miss he will be very much at home. David Barker's gelding goes well at this trip and is in good form, though he does have to defy a career high mark to win this, but with the yard going well he looks capable. Giles Bravery sends Bustan, a gelding who undoubtedly has ability and may even be good enough to get the trainer off the mark at the track after three previous abortive attempts given that this is his optimum trip and he looks reasonably treated. Billy Dane has never won on turf but is on the same mark as his only previous success, which came on the polytrack at Wolverhampton. Stoic Leader beat Champaign Sands in the Carlisle Bell Trial last time and he has won off higher marks than what, with his penalty, is effectively 76 today. Lots of rain would probably not help, but he does handle good to soft, and he is respected. Tencendur has probably just got a bit too much weight on his back at present, but Vicious Warrior is now back on a handy mark, handles cut, track and trip, and looks a serious threat to our selection Crocodile Bay.
Crocodile Bay (IRE) 5-2fav (9-9) Prominent, pushed along 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Handsome Falcon (8-5) at Newcastle 7f hcap (4) gf in May.
Vicious Warrior 16-1 (8-5) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 8, 9l behind Laa Rayb (9-4) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May.
Wigwam Willie (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Never better than mid-division, 12th of 17, 8l behind Full Victory (9-1) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Billy Dane (IRE) 28-1 (8-6) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Fondled (8-9) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gs in May.
Observatory Star (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (8-11) Held up, niggled along 4f out, not clear run well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Kinsya (9-6) at Leicester 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Oct.
Tencendur (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Daaweitza (9-0) at Catterick 7f hcap (4) gd in May.
Exit Smiling 11-8fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, soon weakened and eased, last of 6, well behind Xpres Maite (9-3) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr.
Moheebb (IRE) 17-2 (8-5) Prominent, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 22l behind Ballinteni (9-3) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May.
Bustan (IRE) 7-2 (8-10) In touch, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Mujood (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, won at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May beating Champain Sands (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
