chased leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
held up in rear, pushed along halfway, steady headway to lead over 2f out, pushed clear final furlong
in touch, ridden to chase winner from 2f out, hung left over 1f out, no impression final furlong
held up in touch, effort on wide outside and driven over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
led to 4f out, hung left and weakened over 2f out
awkward leaving stalls, held up in rear, effort on wide outside over 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, led 4f out, hung left and headed over 2f out, chased winner to 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
well behind, ridden and still plenty to do 4f out, switched left, driven and stayed on under pressure final furlong, never nearer
A chance is taken with Gower Song, who can stop the likes of Lester Leaps In, Pagan Crest and Sarwin from following up in the finale. There are indeed plenty of recent winners in the line-up, but having weighed up their respective chances, the finger points to Gower Song. David Elsworth's filly made her handicap debut on fast ground at Brighton a fortnight ago and duly did the business, proving that she stays 10 furlongs in the process. The form was given a boost when fourth-placed Stellenbosch came out to score at Bath on Saturday, and off just a 4lb higher mark, Gower Song has a great chance of doubling up, with conditions to suit. Lester Leaps in carries a 6lb penalty for his success in a class 6 event at Bath and has to give the selection 3lb, while there has to be a doubt about Pagan Crest getting the trip on breeding. Sarwin and Indigo Dancer both line up on the back of all-weather wins but have more to do, and so, with improvement to come, it is Gower Song that carries our hopes.
Lester Leaps In (USA) 5-2fav (9-7) Prominent, good headway to lead 2f out, driven clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Bath 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) frm beating Golden Sprite (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Gower Song 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, led in centre course 2f out, hard pressed final furlong, ran on well, won at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) frm beating Girardii (9-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Pagan Crest 6-1 (8-9) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, veered badly left to stands' side rail, just held on, won at Goodwood 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf beating Fratt'n Park (8-8) by a shd, 14 ran.
Emilion 4-1 (8-13) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, headway on inside well over 1f out, never going pace to challenge, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Oporto (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo fll hcp (5) pol in May.
Maximix 9-2 (8-11) Held up, always in rear, 12th of 13, 28l behind Akona Matata (10-0) at Kempton 1m mdn stk (4) pol in Mar.
Sarwin (USA) 5-1fav (9-2) Chased leaders, led 2f out, hung left inside final furlong, ridden out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol beating Royal Curtsy (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Iberian Light (USA) 6-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, headway on outside to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Chess Board (9-4) at Brighton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) frm.
Zizou (IRE) 16-1 (7-11) Took keen hold towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 7l behind Star of Canterbury (9-7) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Indigo Dancer 7-2jt-fav (8-12) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and hung left final furlong, kept on to lead finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Apr beating The Jailer (8-12) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
