slowly into stride, soon tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, outpaced over 1f out, kept on final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied near finish
chased leader, ridden halfway, kept on one pace from over 1f out
slowly away, outpaced and green in rear, headway on inside halfway, chased leaders 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, effort when ran green 2f out, soon eased
Derek Shaw complicates matters by saddling three runners here with the American dirt bred Sazerac, the mount of Dean McKeown, looking the pick of the trio on his debut ahead of stable companions Easily Naimd and Stand Guard and he gets the vote ahead of Trusted Friend. The last mentioned is, like the selection, bred to handle the surface having an American dirt pedigree and Mark Johnston's runners continue in good form so he has to be respected. Tim Easterby has his string in good heart at present so it would come as no surprise to see Article run a decent race, while Jalons Bridewell ran better at Lingfield last time and he has to be considered. Plenty have chances and it is Sazerac that is just preferred.
Easily Naimd Namid gelding, half-brother to winning sprinters Gemtastic and Tartatartufata.
Elusive Hawk (IRE) 12-1 (9-13) Towards rear, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 12, 8l behind Fulford (8-9) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs in Jan.
Stand Guard 6-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 9th of 16, 18l behind Diamond Tycoon (9-3) at Newbury 1m 3yo mdn (4) gf in Apr.
Article Mujahid gelding, half-brother to winning sprinter Double Assembly.
Jalons Bridewell 7-2 (9-3) Led, ridden 2 out, kept on under pressure, narrowly headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Kingsgate Castle (9-3) at Lingfield 6f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Jan.
Marquis de Louvois (IRE) 25-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 13l behind Helping Hand (8-11) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs in Jan.
Sazerac (USA) Dixie Union gelding, half-brother to winning sprinter Creme de Menthe.
Trusted Friend (USA) Hennessy colt out of 6f-7f winner Miss Bridget Jones.
Wildcat Island (IRE) Statue Of Liberty filly, half-sister to winning sprinter Arnie's Joint.