chased leading trio, effort on outer going well 3f out, ridden and chasing leaders 2f out, driven and every chance 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch in 5th, effort 2f out, led and edged right 1f out, kept on, headed near finish
tracked leading pair, pushed along 3f out, ridden hung left and no impression over 1f out
held up last, switched left to outside over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, driven ahead near finish
tracked leader, led on inside 5f out, riddden and headed when slightly hampered entering final furlong, soon no extra
led, hung left on bend 5f out, soon headed, chased leader until ridden hung left and weakened over 2f out, eased, tailed off
Nonrunner
Montparnasse will go well if repeating his debut effort but LEADER OF THE LAND is an entirely more convincing betting proposition and gets our vote to land the finale. David Lanigan is a fine placer of horses and his son of Halling can be counted a shade unfortunate not to arrive on a four-timer, as he looked unlucky when beaten at Salisbury. Either side of that he'd won at Beverley, the last time convincingly, and a 7lb rise may not be enough to stop this progressive sort going in again. There's less of an emphasis on stamina here but he's a smooth travelling type who shouldn't have any problems coping. Montparnasse shaped like a certain future winner when fourth on his debut so despite the fact the maiden's he's run in have been strong he has to be counted disappointing. However, one of the horses ahead of him on that Chepstow debut placed at Royal Ascot off 85 so, off a stone lower mark, he's interesting on this handicap debut. Baltimore Clipper ran well here two starts back but his effort at Brighton since wasn't inspiring and on the face of it he looks weighted to the hilt and Beat Route was well beaten on his sole turf attempt so the biggest threat to our shortlisted pair may come from First Fandango, who might've finished closer at Goodwood last time and was previously placed off a pound higher mark. Whiepa Snappa is a 10-race maiden and Joe Rua has proven to be disappointing this term and we'll rely on Leader Of The Land to send us home happy.
First Fandango 13-2 (9-0) With leader until 9f out, in touch after, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 5l behind Roxy Flyer (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo stk 0-75 (5) gd.
Leader Of The Land (IRE) 5-6fav (9-0) Held up in rear in 4th, smooth headway to lead on bit over 1f out, soon clear and eased inside final furlong, very easily, won at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May beating Corr Point (8-7) by 5l, 4 ran.
Baltimore Clipper (USA) 6-4 (8-12) Tracked leaders, effort when hung left over 1f out, not pace to challenge, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Ebony Boom (8-12) at Brighton 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf.
Montparnasse (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Towards rear, switched left over 1f out, kept on, never nearer, 6th of 15, 6l behind Kensei (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Whiepa Snappa (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Diamond Duchess (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Joe Rua (USA) 80-1 (9-0) Ridden along leaving stalls, soon led, headed 8f out, chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 7, 43l behind Calatrava Cape (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo stk 0-70 (5) gf.
Beat Route 66-1 (8-3) Soon led, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 12l behind Arctic Cosmos (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
