mid-division, soon ridden along, driven halfway, headway under pressure approaching 1f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong
close up, ridden to chase winner 2f out until 1f out, weakened final furlong
led 4f, soon ridden and edged right, weakened
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
keen in touch, ridden and headway to chase winner 1f out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, eased final furlong
soon pushed along in rear, never near leaders
in rear, ridden and outpaced halfway, ran on under pressure final furlong, never near leaders
tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden clear 2f out, stayed on
very slowly away, lost many lengths, pushed along in rear, weakened 3f out
soon pushed along in rear, driven and some headway over 1f out, never near leaders
Imperial Sword is suggested in this contest with Sion Hill and Owed others that appeal. The selection has yet to make the frame in five all-weather starts but he did shape with a little more encouragement last time when beaten under 5 lengths behind The Geester. He was staying on well over six furlongs that day so this longer trip should suit and he's undoubtedly well handicapped on his best form; it's just a question of whether he's still able to reproduce it. Owed has run a couple of fair races over 5 furlongs lately which bodes well for his chances as he steps back up in trip this afternoon. He's never won over the minimum but has won twice over this course and distance and is 10lbs lower than when last successful in May; he could run a big race. Sion Hill is in good form but has struggled to get his head in front here in the past and still looks high enough in the weights. He should be involved at the business end but we'll take Imperial Sword to come up trumps.
Owed 9-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, chased leaders after 1f, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Decider (8-10) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs.
Magic Amour 13-8fav (8-9) Chased winner until halfway, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 9l behind Soba Jones (8-5) at Southwell 6f Clm Stakes (6) fbs in Feb.
Sion Hill (IRE) 11-4fav (8-10) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Charlottebutterfly (8-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Buzzin'boyzee (IRE) 20-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression after, 9th of 12, 9l behind Playtotheaudience (8-7) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
The Geester 7-2 (9-2) Slowly into stride, headway on outside over 2f out, edged left under pressure, kept on, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Avoca Dancer (8-10) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Johnston's Glory (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Pulled hard behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on steady final furlong without troubling leaders, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Al Samha (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol.
Guadaloup 9-2 (8-11) Led, ridden 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 6l behind Playtotheaudience (8-7) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Tour d'Amour (IRE) 11-4fav (9-4) Held up in rear, some headway over 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 8, 8l behind Ruffie (8-2) at Southwell 1m fll hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Elusive Warrior (USA) 7-1 (8-6) Pulled hard, prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out, last of 6, 12l behind Arctic Desert (9-2) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Vibrato (USA) 50-1 (9-4) Always in rear, 12th of 13, 30l behind Emperor's Well (10-2) at Beverley 7f ldy rds hcp (6) gd in Jul.
Imperial Sword 10-1 (8-3) Mid-division, ridden halfway, headway 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind The Geester (8-11) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
