slowly away, in rear, staying on when not clear run over 1f out, switched left just inside final furlong, ran on
led and soon pressed, headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
started slowly, soon recovered to press leader to over 1f out, weakened under pressure inside final furlong
soon in touch, not clear run over 1f out, staying on when not much room just inside final furlong, soon switched left and ran on strongly towards finish, just held
tracked leaders until weakened 2f out
towards rear, weakened and eased when no chance final 2f
tracked leaders going well, led over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on same pace
in touch, driven and wide outside 3f out, soon lost place
towards rear, struggling final 3f
Under a three-pound penalty Irony, who returned to form with an all-the-way win at Kempton last weekend, can win again. Admittedly, he held every chance at the weights that day but, with his confidence on a high and his stable in rude health, he can make a bold bid to win again. Climate has a three-pound pull for four-and-a-half lengths from Kempton, which might not be enough. Turning to the others. Krugerrand, who ran a blinder from this mark in a valuable event at Ascot last time, having earlier won from a six-pound lower rating at Haydock a few weeks earlier, rates a danger. Contract looked fairly decent when winning twice last year but has disappointed this time around. The only possible saving grace is that he is fitted with first-time blinkers. Ace Of Hearts probably has to find three or four pounds from somewhere to land the spoils. Londoner won from a mark of 90 last October (now rated 80) but has lost his way of late; Jools has done well lately, but in claimers, while Dance On The Top certainly has claims based on his handicap form of two years ago. Laggan Minstrel has a bit to find with Krugerrand on Ascot form, while Zanay is too far out of the handicap to be considered. It all points back to Irony, then, who can continue his stable's good form.