tracked leader after 1f, driven and lost place 2f out, soon behind, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch in rear, ridden inside final 2f, never pace to threaten leaders
held up in touch, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, no impression with front pair
held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure final furlong, not reach front pair
soon led, ridden and headed narrowly 2f out, kept on and every chance final furlong, no extra towards finish
NonRunner
Last year’s winner Shouranour gave notice of another bold bid when runner-up to Acrux over course and distance last time. The latter is upped in class off a higher mark today though is still preferred to stablemate Weellan but STORM AHEAD will find this easier than his recent tasks. Placed in both outings last month, he’s back on a winning mark and Tim Easterby’s yard is in fine form. Zain City can get involved returning to a mile today and is preferred to Southwell winner How Bizarre.
Mutarakez (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Keen in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 7 3/4l behind Club Wexford (9-10) at Ayr 1m hcp (4) gf in Jul.
Two For Two (IRE) 7-1 (9-12) Always behind, 12th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Party Fears Too (9-2) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) pol in Jun.
Storm Ahead (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) Chased winner until 5f out and again 3f out until 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Flying North (9-7) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Weellan 9-2 (10-0) Short of room soon after start, in touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Chai Chai (9-7) at Chester 1m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Shouranour (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead entering final furlong, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Acrux (10-0) at Ripon 1m hcp (5) gf in Jul.
How Bizarre 10-3fav (9-9) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Arabian Jazz (9-6) at Beverley 7f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Acrux 16-1 (10-0) Switched right start, in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Ripon 1m hcp (5) gf in Jul beating Shouranour (9-13) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Zain City (IRE) 11-8fav (9-1) Tracked leader, effort on outside well over 1f out, faded final furlong, 3rd of 4, 9l behind Scottish Summit (9-10) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jun.