pressed leader, driven and every chance approaching final furlong, not pace of winner inside final furlong, kept on well to hold 2nd
behind, not clear run 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, bumped just inside final furlong, kept on same pace after
slowly into stride, soon recovered into mid-division, weakened over 2f out
mid-division weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, not clear run from 2f out, good headway and switched left just inside final furlong, quickened to lead inside final furlong, won going away
chased leaders over 3f
held up, headway on outside 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
behind most of way
took keen hold, steadied rear effort on outside 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, ran on under pressure final furlong to press for 2nd near finish, not reach winner
chased leaders on outside, weakening when hampered 2f out
slight lead, headed approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
soon chased leaders on outside, driven to lead narrowly approaching final furlong headed and unable to quicken inside final furlong
This has the look of a tight heat, with Russian Rocket given as the selection ahead of Sweetest Revenge and Full Spate. There are seven course and distance winners in the line-up, including Caustic Wit, who has maybe just started to go off the boil, and Marker, who can be given chances on their best 2004 efforts. Franksalot is on a reasonable mark but we are inclined to prefer others, including Russian Rocket, who is closely weighted with Bens Georgie on June course and distance form and for who a four-pounds rise for a Nottingham win seems fair. He also comes here in form. Full Spate is also a course and distance winner and he's on a fair mark based on his August 2004 Haydock win but is closely weighted with Caustic Wit and Bens Georgie on more recent efforts. Another c/d winner, Linda Green, is weighted to win again but will need some luck in running from her draw and would possibly not want the going to be too quick. You could build a case for Gone'N Dunnett, but we are not strong on him, but this is Sweetest Revenge's time of year, she is now on a good mark and cannot be ruled out of things. Another to be on a fair mark from last summer is Coranglais, while Gavioli comes here a little out of form despite being close to a winning mark. We could not be strong on the others, which returns us to the selection, Russian Rocket.
Caustic Wit (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) In touch, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 3l behind Louphole (9-5) at Bath 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Marker 8-1 (8-11) Soon outpaced and in rear, 13th of 15, 14l behind Romany Nights (9-6) at Goodwood 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Franksalot (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-7) Raced wide in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, never able to challenge, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Ivory Lace (9-0) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) frm in Jun.
Bens Georgie (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, chased leaders after 1f, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Prince Cyrano (9-6) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jun.
Full Spate 7-1 (9-13) Steadied start, held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ridden out, won at Chepstow 7f clm (6) gf in Jun beating Danielle's Lad (9-9) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Russian Rocket (IRE) 13-2fav (9-9) Raced stands' side, chased leaders, led over 1f out, driven out, won at Nottingham 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun beating Sir Don (9-0) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Gone'n'dunnett (IRE) 11-1 (9-6) Led far side group, driven 2f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Never Without Me (9-5) at Ripon 5f hcap (5) gf in Jun.
My Girl Pearl (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) In touch, chased leaders 2f out, one pace, 5th of 13, 3l behind Full Spate (9-13) at Chepstow 7f clm (6) gf in Jun.
