held up in rear, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never on terms
held up towards rear, driven and headway on outside well over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong to lead post
led after 1f, headed over 3f out, soon outpaced, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, driven over 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, no impression over 1f out
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
in touch, joined leaders 7f out, lost place over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, switched right and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on, headed post
led 1f, tracked leader, led again over 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Rocket Force is handily weighted and can get one over on Tarabut and Stretton, while Sualda should not be underestimated in this company and can also go close if he puts his mind to it. Sporting Gesture would also have to be considered a threat when the best of his form is taken into account but he hasn't shown much since his course and distance win from last September and looks a little high in the weights for an Easterby betting coup to be landed just for the time being. Stretton has been a grand servant to his connections and is another that will no doubt attract a bit of interest in the betting ring. However, the ground may be a touch firmer than he truly cares for, which leaves him vulnerable from the top of the weights. Tarabut has given her connections plenty to shout about during her 12 previous races. The Hamdan Al Maktoum colours have been carried to victory by the daughter go Green Desert three times so far and she should again make a bold bid. However, she does need a test of stamina and this trip would be the bare minimum for her. Therefore, we prefer to side with Rocket Force, whose versatility is a shining attribute in race like this and the mount of Dale Gibson just gets the nod as the one most suited to a mile and a half this time around.
Stretton (IRE) 6-1 (8-6) Settled in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression final 2f, 8th of 12, 11l behind Mudawin (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in May.
Nordwind (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Held up, never dangerous, 12th of 16, 32l behind Millville (9-4) at York 1m 4f hcap (3) gs in May.
Dancer's Serenade (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Dwelt, held up, headway over 3f out, no impression from over 2f out, 9th of 14, 21l behind Blue Spinnaker (8-9) at York 1m 2f hcap (2) gs in May.
Sporting Gesture 25-1 (8-6) Held up mid-division, effort 5f out, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 16, 18l behind Millville (9-4) at York 1m 4f hcap (3) gs in May.
Tarabut 5-1 (9-8) Mid-division, headway 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Skye's Folly (9-12) at Pontefract 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Edas 16-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, brief effort in centre 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 13l behind Fairmile (8-12) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Sept.
Sualda (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Towards rear, smooth progress 4f out, ridden when weakening 2f out, 8th of 15, 29l behind Sphinx (8-3) at York 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in May.
Rocket Force (USA) 5-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Tannenberg (8-8) at Pontefract 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in May.
