held up last, headway on bit over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on well final furlong
chased leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden over 2f out, hard ridden and ran on well final furlong, just failed
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
made all, quickened over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, ran on gamely final furlong, just held on
held up mid-division, ridden and switched left 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
David Elsworth has traditionally had plenty of success at this meeting (won this race three times in last seven years) and with that in mind Gowers Song gets the vote ahead of Cape Secret and Ollie George. The selection steps up to this trip for the first time but shapes as though it will suit and having strengthened up over the winter, the four-year-old gelding could take this on his way to a possible tilt at the Yorkshire Cup. He has won well on all types of ground so any forecast rain will not hinder and he looks the likeliest winner. Solent was a beaten favourite on his recent reappearance at Epsom but back on this more conventional track (has run well here before) he holds solid claims although he sometimes falters in the last quarter mile. Ollie George and Salute are two to consider given their high level of consistency. Cape Secret's last run can be ruled out as it was on unsuitably soft ground (the same goes for Peppertree) and so he has the potential to become a top stayer this year, however Gower Song is taken to continue his trainer's excellent record in the race.
Gower Song 12-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, steady headway from over 3f out, chased winner from over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Acts of Grace (8-6) at Ascot 1m 4f fll stk Grp 3 (1) sft in Sept.
Solent (IRE) 7-2fav (9-5) Taken to post early, led, ridden 2f out, soon headed, kept on same pace, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Lake Poet (8-11) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Ollie George (IRE) 10-3fav (8-13) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd 3f out, driven to lead final 100 yards and kept on well, won at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) frm in Apr beating Baizically (9-3) by a nk, 9 ran.
Salute (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 14, 3l behind Junior (8-11) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Cape Secret (IRE) 4-1 (8-8) Led, headed over 3f out, hampered over 2f out, not recover, last of 7, well behind Trick Or Treat (8-3) at York 1m 6f 3yo hcp (2) sft in Aug.
Peppertree 14-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, effort over 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 12th of 13, well behind Anna Pavlova (8-12) at Ascot 1m 4f lst fll stk (1) gs in Oct.
Sphinx (FR) 10-1 (9-10) Always in rear, eased over 2f out and pulled up in race won by Stoop To Conquer (9-4) at Newbury 1m 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Aug, 12 ran.
