tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
close up, led over 4f out, hard ridden over 2f out, stayed on well under pressure
towards rear, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, lost place inside final furlong
raced in rear, headway approaching final furlong, ran on never nearer
led until over 4f out, remained prominent, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, under pressure over 2f out, soon faded
awkward start, always behind
The drop in trip may reap dividends here for CHUSHKA, but there's likely to be some support too for Could It Be Magic and Rio Caribe. Chushka may have gone off too quickly last time out as he emptied out when it really mattered, so going over six furlongs rather than seven seems sensible. He's showing a level of consistency too, which is something many of his rivals can't claim. The high draw would be a negative though. Could It Be Magic gives weight away all round, and has first time blinkers on. He's not looked the easiest ride in the past, but the headgear should assist, as he looks to make it lucky 13th time out. Rio Caribe has first time headgear too, with a visor replacing blinkers, but the real positive is the low draw. There's not a great deal of quality as you'd expect in this sort of contest, but something has to win it; Paul Mulrenan won this race last year, and we think he can again, this time on Chushka.
Could It Be Magic 9-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up in mid-division, ridden on outside over 2f out, edged right and headway over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, edged right and stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Imperial Djay (9-9) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Rio Caribe (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, hung left 2f out, chance over 1f out, soon hard ridden and one pace, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Timeteam (9-2) at Nottingham 6f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gf.
Chushka 17-2 (8-13) Prominent, took keen hold, driven over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 6l behind Silly Gilly (8-9) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Sea Crest 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, lost place 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Exceedingly Good (8-3) at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Uddy Mac 25-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Silent Secret (9-0) at Beverley 7f 2yo stks (5) gf in Sep.
Avonlini 18-1 (9-0) Went right start, led, hard ridden over 1f out, soon strongly challenged, hung left when headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Mandhooma (8-8) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-55 (6) gf in Jun.
Whitby (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) In touch on outside, effort to chase leader over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 14, 13l behind Tomintoul Star (9-0) at Southwell 1m mdn hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Zelos Spirit 11-1 (8-10) Keen early, chased leaders, driven 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Royal Cheer (8-10) at Catterick 6f fll mdn auc stks (6) gd in May.
Kalahari Desert (IRE) 22-1 (8-9) Took keen hold towards rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 10th of 16, 8l behind Just The Tonic (8-7) at Redcar 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Bombay Mist 66-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, soon pushed along, weakened halfway, last of 8, 17l behind Jigajig (8-11) at Wolverhampton 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jun.
