held up, ridden 2f out, hung right over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace
made all, ridden 2f out, kept on
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased winner, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, outpaced 3f out, kept on from over 1f out
behind and outpaced
held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, headway and switched left over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
An open affair in which Desert Chief is taken to score ahead of Bustan, Black Charmer, and Bold Marc. The selection ran well over in Dubai when third behind Sir Gerrard and this lightly-raced five-year-old could take some beating today. Quick ground over a mile suits and this son of Green Desert look worth siding with. Black Charmer should have come on for his recent run behind Blythe Knight at York when a massive price and now back on quick ground (won on it twice as a two-year-old) he must rate a danger. Bold Marc made all at Haydock eleven days ago and may try to repeat that here. His draw is fair, but a 2lb higher mark makes life tougher. Vicious Warrior is back on a winning mark but is better with cut in the ground, so of more interest may be Stonehaugh. Howard Johnson's charge likes fast ground and steps up to this trip for just the second time. If he settles ok then he must have a good chance. Bustan steps back up to a mile which should suit suit and having run well over course and distance before he is another to consider, however Desert Chief could be a class above these and gets the vote.
Desert Chief 9-2 (8-9) Close up, effort to lead briefly final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Sir Gerard (9-5) at Nad Al Sheba 1m hcp gd in Feb.
Bustan (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, keen hold, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 13, 5l behind Trafalgar Square (8-9) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in May.
Black Charmer (IRE) 40-1 (8-7) Chased leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, hung left and no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Blythe Knight (8-9) at York 1m lst hcp (1) gs in May.
Vicious Warrior 18-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 9, 6l behind Daaweitza (8-5) at Haydock 1m hcap (3) gf in May.
Robustian 12-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 13, 5l behind Del Mar Sunset (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcap (4) gf in May.
Bold Marc (IRE) 5-1 (9-4) Led early, tracked leader, led just 3f out, ridden over 2f out, drifted slightly left from over 1f out, held on well, won at Haydock 1m hcap (4) gf in May beating Barons Spy (8-12) by a hd, 6 ran.
Little Jimbob 20-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on to regain lead entering final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind Exit Smiling (8-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Stonehaugh (IRE) 28-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, kept on and no extra close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Daaweitza (8-6) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
