chased leaders, ridden 2f out, unable to quicken over 1f out, no extra final furlong
pressed leader, ridden 2f out, challenged over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, stayed on
steadied start, held up in last, headway and not clear run over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, edged left, held close home
chased leaders, ridden on outside over 2f out, one pace and beaten from over 1f out
took keen hold, led, ridden 2f out, headed well inside final furlong
War Glory ran well enough in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot without threatening and finished in front of Bless Him when scoring at Chelmsford before that. Waarif’s victory here in May came over a longer trip while Spirit Warning won at Chelmsford recently but is proving best on the all-weather. Kodiac Harbour faces a more difficult task having won at Leicester on his handicap debut while first-time cheekpieces failed to have the desired effect on SALUTE THE SOLDIER at Newbury last time. But the headgear is left off today and another chance goes to Clive Cox’ charge on his earlier placed efforts in this grade.
War Glory (IRE) 50-1 (8-13) Raced near side, chased leaders, went 2nd in group over 1f out until inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 11th of 28, 4 1/2l behind Afaak (9-3) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) sft in Jun.
Waarif (IRE) 17-2 (9-5) Always prominent, hard driven to challenge over 2f out, kept on well under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Club Wexford (8-4) at Ayr 1m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Bless Him (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Slowly away and switched left start, held up and behind, headway between horses over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind War Glory (9-7) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (2) pol in Jun.
Kodiac Harbour (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) In touch, headway to chase leader over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Leicester 1m hcp (4) gf in May beating Dourado (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Spirit Warning 5-1 (8-11) Broke well but soon steadied, held up in touch, headway on inside over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, all out, won at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (2) pol in Jun beating Fields Of Athenry (9-2) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Salute The Soldier (GER) 7-2fav (8-13) Tracked leader, lost place when ridden inside final 2f, weakened 1f out, eased inside final furlong, 13th of 14, 20 1/4l behind Breden (9-0) at Newbury 1m hcp (2) gd in May.