behind, never a factor
held up, smooth progress over 2f out to lead on bit over 1f out, pushed out final furlong
mid-division, ridden, headway on inner 2f out, chased winner final furlong
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
started slowly, always in rear division
in touch, driven over 3f out, ridden, every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to press leaders over 1f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
Bold Phoenix catches the eye and he is the one to beat, with Favouring, King Nicholas and High Swainston taken to give him most to do. When Barney Curley turns up here it normally strikes fear into the bookies' hearts, and the five-year-old is sure to be well supported to follow up his latest victory at Wolverhampton which came about with blinkers back on. Mind you, he did not need them when scoring here in October, and with or without them, he is going to take some stopping judged on his latest effort. Having been claimed out of Richard Fahey's yard after scoring over six fulrongs here in January, Favouring gained his first victory for his current yard when handling the step up to seven a fortnight ago. He was not stopping at the finish and so the mile should not be a problem. King Nicholas is a past course-and distance winner but has his first run since February, while High Swainston is still a maiden but has shown enough to suggest that there is a small win to be had. Bold Phoenix has probably got more to offer though and gets a confident vote.
Bold Phoenix (IRE) 4-1 (8-11) Held up, headway 2f out, switched right over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon edged left, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Feb beating Yashin (8-11) by 2l, 12 ran.
Favouring (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden halfway, headway over 2f out, ridden and led approaching final furlong, ridden out, won at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Mar beating Only If I Laugh (9-6) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
King Nicholas (USA) 5-1 (8-12) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 8l behind Lady Suesanne (8-7) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Jan.
Pearl Island (USA) 11-4 (9-4) With leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 21l behind Desert Fury (8-13) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Feb.
Pepper Road 9-2 (9-5) In touch, keen hold, ridden over 2f out, soon held, 5th of 12, 9l behind Free Angel (9-3) at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol in Oct.
Apache Point (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, weakened 1f out, 9th of 16, 5l behind Dium Mac (8-6) at Redcar 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct.
High Swainston 10-3 (9-0) Led, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Desert Fury (9-0) at Southwell 1m banded stk (7) fbs in Mar.
Wilford Maverick (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Raced wide, chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 10, 6l behind Favouring (9-0) at Southwell 7f banded stk (7) fbs in Mar.
