tracked leader, took keen hold, led after 2f until 6f out, hung left over 1f out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, pushed out, readily
led 2f, led again 6f out, headed over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final furlong, kept on
stumbled start, chased leaders, edged right over 1f out, one pace and no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
Nonrunner
ATHLON just held off subsequent course winner Sporty Yankee over track and trip last month and can confirm that form with the pair renewing hostilities on identical terms – he gets the nod. Choral Festival can never be ignored on her favourite course but is probably a couple of pounds too high at present. Maroc's fourth here last time was a better effort and he makes his handicap debut. Cosmic Storm is similarly unexposed and Guns of Leros looked to be getting the hang of things at Yarmouth so also enters calculations.
Deluxe 6-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 6, 6 3/4l behind Nigel (9-7) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Maroc 33-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Rex Bell (9-1) at Windsor 1m 2f mdn stks (5) sft in Jun.
Athlon (IRE) 3-1fav (9-3) Chased leaders, led 1f out, soon hard pressed, just held on post, won at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (5) sft in Jun beating Sporty Yankee (8-12) by hd, 11 ran.
Guns of Leros (USA) 6-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway on outside over 2f out, slightly impeded 1f out, stayed on final 75 yards, 4th of 9, 1 3/4l behind Prosecute (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Cosmic Storm 33-1 (8-11) Led early, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, edged left over 1f out, no impression on front pair, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Banish (9-2) at Lingfield 1m mdn stks (5) pol in May.
Sporty Yankee (USA) 11-4jfav (8-7) Held up in last pair, headway into 2nd hanging left over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, strongly pressed in closing stages, always just doing enough, won at Windsor 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jun beating Knight Commander (8-13) by nk, 7 ran.
Choral Festival 10-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, switched left inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on into 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Third Rock (8-4) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Druot 14-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, always behind, 8th of 10, 12 3/4l behind On A Whim (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Apr.