tracked leader, every chance when hung left from over 2f out, switched left approaching final furlong, no extra close home
pulled hard tracking leaders, effort over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead well inside final furlong, ridden out
held up in rear, ridden halfway, soon weakened, eased over 2f out
led, pressed from 2f out, hard ridden when headed inside final furlong, kept on
dwelt, in touch, under pressure over 3f out, soon weakened
held up in rear but in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, modest 4th
STAFF SERGEANT returned a nine length winner over 1m4f here last time but had earlier scored over course and distance. A penalty looks unlikely to prevent him following up in this. Summerfree disappointed when odds-on at Wolverhampton but finished runner-up here earlier in the month, while Gogeo was having his first outing for over two years when beaten seven lengths over track and trip last month and can also figure. Monzino is a course winner but arrives out of sorts and Polytack winner Dazzling Valentine has yet to race on this surface. Air Chief has been chasing but won twice on the Flat in Ireland last year.
Staff Sergeant 7-2 (9-10) Chased leaders, went 3rd over 4f out, went 3rd 3f out, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, won at Southwell 1m 4f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs beating Afro (9-2) by 9l, 8 ran.
Gogeo (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Close up, ridden 4f out, headway to chase leading pair over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Dame Nellie Melba (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Air Chief 16-1 (10-3) Soon chased leaders, no extra from over 2f out, 13th of 18, 22l behind Sabaidee (9-3) at Killarney 2m 1f hcp gf in Jul.
Summerfree (USA) 4-5fav (9-3) Led, ridden and headed well over 2f out, soon no chance with winner, hung left over 1f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened to 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 6, 14l behind Echua (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Monzino (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Slowly away, held up towards rear, weakened over 4f out, 6th of 8, 23l behind Staff Sergeant (9-10) at Southwell 1m 4f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
Dazzling Valentine 16-1 (8-10) Held up, not clear run over 2f out, well held over 1f out, 5th of 6, 12l behind Royal Alcor (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.