behind, headway over 2f out, led entering final furlong, ridden out
chased leaders, switched left and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, struggling from halfway
led until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
behind, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, effort over 2f out, soon one pace
prominent, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, kept on
close up, ridden and one pace final 2f
chased leaders, hard driven over 3f out, soon weakened
This is a very tricky contest and we will give a tentative vote to Printsmith, with Air Of Esteem and Apache Point two of many dangers. The selection is not the most consistent of performers, but put in a terrific run last time over course and distance. He was just collared in the closing stages by Sir Bond, with today's rival Air Of Esteem two and half lengths away in third. There is no change in the weights today so Printsmith should confirm that form, although Air Of Esteem was left with a lot to do and should get a lot closer if ridden nearer to the pace. Apache Point was beaten into fifth behind Sir Bond at Wolverhampton last time, so a strict form line with that winner gives him a bit to find with the selection. However it was his first outing for almost six months so he is entitled to improve. Best of the others could be Compton Bay, but if Printsmith can be relied on to run his race today he will be hard to beat.
Air of Esteem 25-1 Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Sir Bond at Southwell 1m stk (H5) fbs in Mar.
Bold Phoenix (IRE) 12-1 Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on, not reach leaders, 6th of 11, 8l behind Saucy at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (H5) pol in Mar.
Compton Bay 9-1 Mid-division, not much room and hampered 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 14, 12l behind Gem Bien at Southwell 7f stk (H5) fbs in Mar.
Dial Square 5-1fav Never better than mid-division, 7th of 14, 6l behind Esperance at Lingfield 1m 2f stk pol in Mar.
Haunt The Zoo 11-2 Held up, headway over 3f out, every chance well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 13, hd behind Fortunes Favourite at W'hampton 1m 1f stk pol in Mar.
Printsmith (IRE) 16-1 Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Sir Bond at Southwell 1m stk (H5) fbs in Mar.
Roman The Park (IRE) 7-1 Mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened approaching final furlong, 10th of 17, 8l behind Backlash at Warwick 1m 3yo stk (H5) gs in Oct.
