tracked leaders in 3rd, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace from last
held up in rear, headway from 4 out, a close 5th when fell 3 out
held up in touch, blundered 8th, soon reminders in rear, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened 2 out
led, pressed 4 out, pushed along and headed before 3 out, ridden before last, hard ridden run-in, kept on gamely to lead towards finish
with leader, led before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, mistake last, kept on, headed towards finish
A tasty little handicap in which all seven have acceptable claims. Premier Grand Cru looks to have got his act together after joining the Ewart team from France and it would be no surprise to see him go very close despite the concession of weight all round. Vivaldi is consistent but looks a little high in the weights and Rolecarr may find life more taxing now the handicapper has got hold of him for recent improvement. The choice is PATRIOT, a battling victor here last time when inching out Turf Trivia over this trip. He remains an attractive proposition off the bottom rung with Graham Lee booked, whilst the remainder of the field are all reliable and consistent in what looks something of a punting minefield.
Premier Grand Cru (FR) 9-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 6th or 8th, led 2 out, ridden out, won at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May beating Raya Star (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 11 ran.
Vivaldi (IRE) 18-1 (11-6) Towards rear, closer in 10th after 4 out, no impression under pressure and kept on without threatening from next, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Lord Ben (11-1) at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hcp hdl 8Evens16 gf in May.
Russian George (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled before 3 out, in a race won by Russian War (10-1) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr, 22 ran.
Sinbad The Sailor 15-8fav (10-11) Took keen hold, chased leadrs, went 2nd 5th, led approaching 4 out, went left mistake and headed 2 out, ridden and no impression on winner before last, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Teenage Kicks (10-10) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in May.
Makhzoon (USA) 9-2 (11-9) Held up, ridden and closed 8th, hard driven after 2 out, went 2nd last, every chance towards finish, just held, 2nd of 10, ns behind Scotsbrook Cloud (11-1) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Rolecarr (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Tracked leader until after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from last, 4th of 8, 8l behind Western Bound (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in May.
Patriot (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led before 3 out, ridden before last, just held on, won at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May beating Turf Trivia (10-7) by shd, 10 ran.
