soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased
tracked leaders until lost place over 3f out, switched left over 2f out, soon ridden and headway, stayed on
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, kept on but no extra
raced in 5th until nudged along and closed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well to lead inside final furlong
prominent, nudged along 4f out, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
A good contest here and AKMAL can follow up his Thirsk win with another success, while Final Victory and Battle Planner look strong in opposition. Akmal landed a Lingfield maiden in May before making a successful handicap debut at Thirsk on firm ground at the beginning of this month. He gets a fast surface again here and looks capable of improving to defy a 6lb higher mark. Final Victory is another hat-trick seeker after wins at Newcastle and Kempton and Andrew Balding's colt has been put up 5lbs for also winning on his handicap introduction. He was a ready scorer on the Polytrack that day and he should give the selection plenty to do. Battle Planner scored on his Southwell debut in the winter and looked in need of the run when stepped up to 10f at Sandown last time. He was doing his best work at the finish that day, however, and this step up in trip looks likely to be a positive. History Lesson looks next best, although his ability to get home over this far has to be questioned, and we will give the vote to Akmal.
Simple Solution (USA) 12-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, eased when beaten over 1f out, last of 10, well behind Opinion Poll (8-11) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) hvy in May.
Akmal 4-1 (9-5) In touch, led over 2f out, driven and kept on gamely final furlong, held on, won at Thirsk 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) fm beating Topolski (9-7) by hd, 5 ran.
Final Victory 11-4fav (9-3) Led, headed after 1f, tracked leading pair, challenged on inside going well 2f out, led narrowly 1f out, pushed along and stayed on strongly throughout final furlong, always holding on, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Ostaadi (9-1) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Classic Vintage (USA) 8-1 (8-8) Held up, headway under pressure over 3f out, driven and no impression final furlong, 7th of 10, 12l behind Opinion Poll (8-11) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) hvy in May.
History Lesson 16-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, driven along 2f out, one pace and no impression from over 1f out, lost 3rd inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 8l behind River Captain (9-1) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Battle Planner (USA) 11-2 (9-4) Held up in rear, pushed along over 3f out, soon one pace and never dangerous final 2f, 5th of 7, 8l behind Antinori (9-4) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
