soon led, ridden and headed over 3f out, quickly weakened, virtually pulled up 2f out
led early, chased leader, ridden over 2f, soon weakened
tracked leaders, led and brought wide over 3f out, kept on well final furlong, eased towards finish
soon outpaced, behind from halfway
slowly into stride, always behind, eased over 1f out
outpaced towards rear, ridden over 4f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, no impression
slowly into stride, outpaced and behind, stayed on final 2f, not reach leaders
pushed along and outpaced towards rear, ridden 4f out, headway 2f out, one pace
chased leaders, ridden well over 2f out, weakened over 1f
Jamie Osborne's Sonntag Blue has every chance at the weights but it is never easy for the classic generation against older horses at this time of year and preference is for Beauteous, who is preferred to El Palmar. The last mentioned has disappointed in his last two starts on turf but is probably better on this surface so cannot be discounted lightly. Mick Easterby's Reversionary showed improved form over course and distance earlier this month but needs to improve again to trouble the selection. Ahaz has a nice racing weight but, like Sonntag Blue, he will not find it easy against his older rivals and preference is for Beauteous. Mark Polglase has given the son of Tagula a lengthy break since completing a four timer of wins on the all-weather last year, which was followed by a decent effort on turf at Hamilton. Provided that he is fit enough after the absence, Beauteous holds solid claims and gets the vote.
Beauteous (IRE) 6-1 Led, ridden over 3f out, headed 1f out and kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Double Ransom at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-70 (E) gd in May.
Blunham 33-1 Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 18l behind Crusoe at Southwell 6f hcp (F4) fbs in Jan.
El Palmar 13-2 Dwelt, mid-division, lost place over 3f out, weakened and eased final 2f, last of 17, 33l behind The Number at Catterick 7f sll gd.
Exclusive Air (USA) 10-1 Mid-divison, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened and virtually pulled up from 2f out, last of 12, 43l behind Rousing Thunder at Musselburgh 1m 4f sll hcp 0-60 (F) gf in Jul '03.
Platinum Pirate 8-1 Took keen hold in touch, ridden and weakened 3f out, 8th of 11, 13l behind Barton Sands at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (G4) pol in Feb.
Reversionary 3-1fav Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, ridden and hung left well over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Gem Bien at Southwell 1m stk fbs.
Ahaz 16-1 With leaders, led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, led again over 1f out, soon hung left, headed and weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 6l behind So Elegant at W'hampton 1m 1f stk pol.
Sonntag Blue (IRE) 7-2 Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Scutch Mill at Lingfield 1m 3yo sll pol.