held up, headway over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed 1f out, not quicken well inside final furlong
took keen hold in mid-division, shaken up 1f out, no headway
always prominent, ridden and every chance just over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, ridden halfway, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong to take 2nd close home
prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
always prominent travelling well, led 1f out, ran on
steadied start, took keen hold, held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
Johannes is our selection in a competitive affair with Little Edward and Ajigolo as the most pertinent dangers. The former Dandy Nicholls inmate is potentially well handicapped on some of his earlier form and if he isn't flattered by a recent third at Beverley, the handicapper may have offered enough help tonight. Little Edward won in spite of what Steve Drowne described as a rubbish ride at Lingfield. A fast early pace invariably plays into his hands. Ajigolo won well at Newmarket at odds of 25/1 in May. He has picked up a 7lb penalty for his endeavours but that shouldn't prevent him from going close. Poor old Pawan found Ann Stokell's 4lb of overweight too much to bear at Newcastle last weekend. He seems fated to always find something to get him beat. Hurricane Spirit proved a great conveyance for the John Best team last year. He hasn't looked the same horse since taking in the Dubai Carnival and we are prepared to watch tonight. Dubai Power won a Salisbury maiden at the head of the season and does act on this surface. Golden Dixie is coming down the weights after fighting a futile battle with the assessor. Orpenindeed and Phantom Whisper have to show markedly improved form to land this. Johannes could be very well handicapped if recent evidence to be believed and we offer him an opportunity here.
Little Edward 16-1 (9-13) Held up in rear, always travelling well, ran on final furlong to lead towards finish, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Jun beating Safari Mischief (9-10) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Hurricane Spirit (IRE) 16-1 (9-6) Held up, switched right and not clear run over 1f out, ran on final furlong, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Viking Spirit (9-10) at Goodwood 6f hcap (2) sft in May.
Ajigolo 25-1 (8-4) Keen, held up in touch, improved to lead on bit 1f out, shaken up and ran on, won at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gd in May beating Express Wish (8-7) by 2l, 13 ran.
Orpenindeed (IRE) 6-1 (9-11) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Musaalem (9-3) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Phantom Whisper 7-1 (8-10) In touch, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 4l behind Ajigolo (8-4) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gd in May.
Golden Dixie (USA) 25-1 (10-0) Rear of mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never near leaders, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Bo McGinty (8-11) at Chester 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jun.
Pawan (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Raced far side, held up in touch, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong and over all leader, headed post, 2nd of 14, hd behind Geojimali (8-9) at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Jun.
Johannes (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Hampered start, towards rear and chased along, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Everymanforhimself (9-8) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Jun.
Dubai Power 12-1 (9-0) Reared leaving stalls, soon chasing leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 10th of 11, 12l behind Shifting Star (9-3) at Goodwood 6f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Jun.
