chased leaders, led over 3f out until over 2f out, remained with every chance until entering final furlong, no extra
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, soon hanging right, beaten over 1f out, soon weakened
pushed along to lead, headed over 5f out, remained in touch, outpaced 3f out, well beaten 1f out
prominent, went 2nd after 3f, led over 5f out until over 5f out, not really ridden until 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up in rear, headway 4f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead entering final furlong, well in command final 100 yards
in touch, lost place 10f out, last over 3f out, behind after
slowly into stride, soon in touch, racing keenly, lost place over 4f out, well beaten final 3f
held up in 6th, headway over 8f out, strong challenge over 3f out, led over 2f out until entering final furlong, no match for winner
Harlestone Snake was impressive enough in context at Goodwood last time, but we will take him on here with LONGBOAT KEY, who can go one better than at Beverley. The Mark Johnston-trained selection was runner-up at the East Yorkshire venue when stepped up to two miles last time. A sound or fast surface suits, as should this stiff 1m 6f, and the blinkers certainly appear to be very effective, so we will give him another chance. Harlestone Snake is given a rise of 9lbs for a six length maiden handicap win over this trip and is again partnered by Ryan Moore. That was not a hot race but nonetheless he was impressive enough and he can make a bold bid. Strathcal has been in cracking form with wins at Salisbury and Newbury followed by a defeat to Alanbrooke over course and distance last time. Now 1lb higher than that, this is clearly no easy task but he will be competitive. Royal Diamond is certainly one capable of showing up well for handicap maestro Sir Mark Prescott and is not dimissed from a mark of just 66 on ground that he should relish, but preference is for Longboat Key.
Strathcal 5-2fav (8-10) Chased leaders, driven and went 2nd well over 2f out, never able to challenge, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Alanbrooke (8-13) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Harlestone Snake 11-8fav (9-1) Held up towards rear, headway 5f out, challenging from over 3f out, led over 2f out, pushed well clear over 1f out, very easily, won at Goodwood 1m 6f (5) gd in Jun beating Cayman Sky (8-13) by 6l, 11 ran.
Longboat Key 2-1fav (8-1) Held up, ridden and switched left over 1f out, stayed on on outer entering final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 9, ns behind Pseudonym (9-1) at Beverley 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Sir Freddie 14-1 (8-13) Always towards rear, never a factor, 14th of 15, 21l behind Rumble Of Thunder (9-0) at Bath 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gs in May.
Royal Diamond (IRE) 4-1 (8-3) Led, raced keenly, headed well over 1f out, edged left 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Lethal Glaze (9-7) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Blue Tango (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Astroleo (8-2) at Southwell 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Warrants Attention (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 13l behind Doggerbank (8-9) at Warwick 1m 5f mdn stks (5) gf.
Ermyn Lodge 11-2 (8-2) Soon ridden along in rear, driven along over 7f out and over 4f out, headway from 2f out, ran on final furlong and took 3rd post, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Penang Princess (9-3) at Kempton 2m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jun.
