narrow lead on rail, edged left off rail over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened final 100 yards
raced keenly, pressed leaders, ridden and chance just over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
outpaced in rear, switched left to outside 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to get competitive
pressed leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced keenly, held up tracking leaders, switched left to outside over 1f out, ridden to lead and edged right inside final furlong, headed and lost 2 places near finish
dwelt, held up on rail in 7th, looking for run when switched left and squeezed through over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, ran on under pressure to lead towards finish, headed post
slowly into stride, behind, made some headway inside final furlong, never near leaders
early speed, ridden 3f out, beaten halfway
held up in 8th on rail, switched left to outside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led post
dwelt, soon tracking leaders on rail, going well when not clear run from 2f out until over 1f out, found little under pressure when in the clear entering final furlong
There's little between Fathom Five and ROCKET ROB on these terms, with the latter just edging the vote in a tight sprint handicap. Our pick had a stellar 2009 with four wins and continued his progression when winning on his return in January. As a consequence he needs a career best to win off this revised mark of 85, but our feeling is there's more to come and he can call upon two course and distance wins here by beating old rival Fathom Five. Chris Wall's charge had our pick behind when making a winning return at Epsom and is better than he showed last time, when behind Rocket Rob at the same track. The pair are weighted to finish alongside each other and we expect they won't be far apart at the death. There are of course others to consider; Secret Asset drops in class having taken a close second last time and can go well despite a 3lb rise with the stiff finish here to suit, Excellerator will be suited by dropping in trip while Osiris Way has placed on both course and distance starts. Rapid Water is tried blinkered but may want six furlongs and Angus Newz keeps no secrets from the handicapper so it's Rocket Rob for us.
Secret Asset (IRE) 4-1fav (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, switched left entering final furlong, kept on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 11, hd behind Captain Dunne (9-9) at Newcastle 5f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jun.
Fathom Five (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 7th of 19, 2 1/4l behind Bertoliver (8-6) at Epsom Downs 5f hcap (2) gf in Jun.
Excellerator (IRE) 13-2 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, 5th, one pace and no impression leaders inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind Kerrys Requiem (9-2) at Goodwood 6f flls hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
Cheveton 20-1 (9-8) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 10th of 18, 5l behind Baby Strange (9-4) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
Osiris Way 11-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final nfurlong, caught post, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Palisades Park (9-5) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Rocket Rob (IRE) 9-1 (8-8) Behind on rail, headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished well, went 3rd last strides, 3rd of 19, 1 1/4l behind Bertoliver (8-6) at Epsom Downs 5f hcap (2) gf in Jun.
Tony The Tap 12-1 (9-7) Dwelt, in rear, ridden and kept on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Captain Coke (8-13) at Newmarket 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Angus Newz 16-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 5th of 7, 16l behind Bounty Box (8-12) at Newmarket 6f flls cond stks (3) gf in Jun.
Piscean (USA) 16-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 13th of 14, 8l behind Hotham (9-11) at York 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jun.
Rapid Water 3-1fav (9-9) Chased leaders, switched left 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace final furlong, no impression, 6th of 8, 4l behind Present Alchemy (9-9) at Salisbury 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
