led, headed over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on
in touch, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden along halfway, some late headway, never trouble leaders
mid-division, effort over 2f out, brought wide and pulled up over 1f out
took keen hold in touch, ridden over 2f out, not much room and hampered when weakening approaching final furlong
mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
always in rear
towards rear, soon chased along, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
prominent, driven to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
prominent, effort over 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders to halfway
REBEL CITY can gain compensation for a couple of near misses here and he gets the vote over Kipchak and Ancient Cross. The selection was struck into when last seen out in January so it was a good effort to finish second behind Royal Collection. That race has worked out quite well and from a decent draw he can get his head in front. Kipchak won a seller in decent style but he then disappointed last time and he may need a bit of respite from the handicapper before he is able to resume winning ways. Ancient Cross has ability but he is not easy to catch right and his low draw is far from ideal. Smalljohn is a course and distance winner and from the best of the draw he could go well at a price. But it could pay to stick with Rebel City who gets our pick.
Kipchak (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Led after 2f, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong and lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Silaah (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
White Deer (USA) 14-1 (8-11) Took keen hold in touch, led after 3f, headed over 4f out, soon beaten, last of 9, 19l behind Empowered (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f app hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gd in May.
Bere Davis (FR) 5-1 (9-4) Chased leader until well over 2f out, stayed prominent, pushed along 2f out, driven and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 3l behind Monaadema (9-1) at Folkestone 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Danehillsundance (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Towards rear, weakened 2f out, 10th of 12, 10l behind Alsace Lorraine (9-4) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Splash The Cash 13-2 (8-5) Held up, headway on outer over 2f out, driven and every chance approaching final furlong, no extra inside, 4th of 9, 6l behind Novellen Lad (8-13) at Catterick 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Hiccups 9-2fav (9-4) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 11l behind Splash The Cash (8-5) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May.
Dream Express (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, eased final furlong, 11th of 14, 23l behind Golden Penny (9-0) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in May.
Mey Blossom 13-2 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 4th of 17, 6l behind Misplaced Fortune (8-10) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Cherri Fosfate 22-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, 5th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Champain Sands (8-4) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fm.
Apollo Shark (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong, 6th of 17, 7l behind Misplaced Fortune (8-10) at Carlisle 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Ancient Cross 5-2fav (8-12) Missed break and behind, headway when not clear run over 2f out and entering final furlong, stayed on well, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 4l behind Golden Penny (9-0) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in May.
Sea Rover (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Chased leaders inside final furlong, 8th of 15, 5l behind Mr Wolf (9-2) at Pontefract 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Rebel City 8-11fav (9-3) Led, wide and hung right well over 1f out, no extra when headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Royal Collection (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Jan.
Smalljohn 1-3fav (9-1) Led, headed 3f out, switched right over 2f, hung right when weakening final furlong, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Madison Belle (9-0) at Southwell 7f 3yo clm stks (6) fbs in Jan.
