towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, never dangerous
steadied start, always in rear and struggling 3f out
steadied start, held up mid-division, headway on inside from 2f out, ridden to challenge 1f out, joined winner, every chance when bumped well inside final furlong, no extra close home
tracked winner, effort over 2f out, still every chance from 1f out, kept on, no extra final 50 yards
made all, led, ridden over 2f out, pressed 1f out, joined inside final furlong, edged right well inside, ran on strongly under pressure, all out
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace
held up in touch, effort over 1f out, still every chance inside final furlong, no extra final 50 yards
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Alnwick is our selection in the finale with Bell Island and Simba Sun the others to make appeal. Peter Cundell's charge beat some fairly ordinary opposition at Warwick on his latest start but he couldn't have done it more professionally and off today's mark, he has to have solid claims of posting a follow-up win. Bell Island only required hands and heels at Brighton to get the job done in maiden company and the form looks relatively solid given the record of the second. Simba Sun has proved a tad frustrating although having shown form for Ralph Beckett on this surface as a juvenile, the ground won't be the worry. Judgethemoment was far from disgraced in the Queens Vase at Royal Ascot while Abounding was given a stinker of a ride at Lingfield and is far better than the bare form suggests. Risk had form for John Hammond in France so is one to note in the market while staying hurdler Mith Hill has won four from 14 on the level but was well held at Haydock Park. Ainama has yet to totally convince over today's trip but Swingkeel's close relatives include Invermark and Craigsteel so it would not be the biggest surprise in the world thre was improvement with this step up. Richard Quinn appears to get on well with Optimus but the horse has to leave behind some shocking recent form and in a race that won't take a lot of winning, ALNWICK is our pick.
Optimus (USA) 10-1 (9-4) Reminders start, always behind, no impression, last of 8, 13l behind Hawridge King (8-10) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Simba Sun (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Started slowly, chased leaders 5f out, ridden over 3f out, every chance 2f out, stayed on one pace, 4th of 12, 6l behind Shela House (8-7) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Spring Dream (IRE) 15-8fav (9-3) Held up, good headway from 2f out, soon every chance, ridden edged left and unable to quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Lapina (8-7) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Alnwick 5-1 (8-12) Pushed along briefly soon after start, soon tracking leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on well, comfortably, won at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) frm in Jun beating Plane Painter (9-4) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Judgethemoment (USA) 50-1 (9-1) Mid-division, under pressure entering straight, no impression until stayed on past weakening rivals final furlong, 6th of 12, 10l behind Patkai (9-1) at Royal Ascot 2m 3yo Grp 3 (1) frm in Jun.
Abounding 8-1 (8-13) Bumped start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 13, 5l behind Looks The Business (8-6) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jun.
Swingkeel (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 12l behind Victoria Montoya (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 6f 3yo mdn hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Risk (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Always behind, last of 15, well behind Step This Way (8-10) at York 1m 4f ldy rds hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Bell Island 16-1 (9-13) Tracked leader, led narrowly over 3f out, ran on well and always holding runner up final 100 yards, won at Brighton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf in Jun beating Shy (8-7) by a nk, 7 ran.
Ainama (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3f out, ridden and headed entering final 2f, weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 15l behind Desert Sea (9-9) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Mith Hill 33-1 (9-9) Held up, ridden 4f out, never a factor, 6th of 9, 9l behind Bukit Tinggi (9-5) at Haydock 1m 6f hcap (4) gf in May.
