tracked leaders, went 2nd 7f out to over 5f out, weakened 4f out, soon lost touch, tailed off
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on until weakened final furlong
held up in rear, ridden along over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous
prominent, went 4th over 3f out, ridden and no impression final 2f
tracked leader to 7f out, tracked leader again over 5f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed chasing winner, held inside final furlong
towards rear, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, always in command final furlong, eased near finish, pushed out close home
towards rear in touch, headway into 3rd over 3f out, effort 2f out, no extra and one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, kept on again from over 1f out, not trouble leaders
FIRST SPIRIT looks to have rock solid claims here and he gets our vote over Urban Space and Bari Bay. The selection won a seller in comfortable fashion last time out when she beat Bari Bay at Lingfield. The cheekpieces worked the oracle that day and if they do the job again here then she should prove tough to beat. Bari Bay re-opposes today and she has to be of interest because on these terms she should be capable of making a race of it. Like our selection, she is also relatively unexposed. Urban Space won a handicap at Nottingham back in April but he disappointed last time and it will be interesting to see if he can bounce back to form now that he drops into this company. Melange didn't get home over the trip last time and Paul Cole's colt could be of interest now that he is dropped to this more suitable. However, First Spirit is in good form and he can take the gold medal.
Melange (USA) 13-2 (8-13) In touch, reminders 6f out, ridden and weakened over 4f out, last of 9, well behind Taste The Wine (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Bertie Smalls 33-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 14th of 15, 11l behind Urban Space (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Coral Point (IRE) 40-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, mid-division, reminders over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 13, 26l behind Doncosaque (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Alderbed 33-1 (8-7) Towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 13, 7l behind Autumn Morning (8-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Dec.
Urban Space 7-2 (9-5) Soon behind, never a factor, last of 7, well behind Vita Mia (8-5) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Hollow Green (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Held up, keen, never dangerous, 11th of 17, 16l behind Taste The Wine (9-0) at Chepstow 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
First Spirit 3-1 (8-2) In touch, chased leader over 2f out, kept on to lead final half furlong and soon drew clear, won at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo sell stks (6) pol in May beating Bari Bay (8-4) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Bari Bay 10-1 (8-4) Led after 1f, headed 9f out, stayed tracking leader, led again 4f out, 4 lengths clear well over 1f out, weakened approaching final furlong, no extra when headed final half furlong, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind First Spirit (8-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo sell stks (6) pol in May.
Jeronimo Joe 25-1 (8-7) Chased leader until 7f out, remained close up, pushed along 4f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 11l behind Rose Of Coma (8-2) at Leicester 1m 2f sell stks (6) gf in May.
