took keen hold early, tracked leaders, went to far side in straight, pushed laong and no impression over 2f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong
tracked leader, went to far side in straight, ridden and lost 2nd over 2f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong
tracked leading pair, went to far side in straight, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after
held up in rear, stayed with one rival in straight, driven along and beaten over 2f out
tracked leaders, went to far side in straight, went 2nd over 2f out until over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, went to far side in straight, ridden over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong
took keen hold, held up in 6th, went to far side in straight, pushed along and no impression over 2f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
held up in 7th, stayed with one rival on near side rail in straight, not on terms over 2f out, no chance when ridden and hung left final furlong
held up in last pair, went to far side in straight and rear in group, headway under pressure inside final 2f, ridden chasing leaders over 1f out, hung left and led inside final furlong, stayed on well, eased near finish
Perfect Cracker ran well for third in a higher grade at Chester with American Artist not far behind in fifth. The latter re-opposes on better terms and looks to have leading claims while Shell Bay won a similar handicap to this at Newmarket in October and is 4lb higher for his reappearance. SHAKOPEE was sent off favourite at HQ recently despite an absence of over a year. Luca Cumani’s charge came up short on that occasion but should be sharper for this and finish a lot closer. Croquembouche has a bit to find with American Artist now back over 1m2f but Master Of Irony may improve tackling today’s longer trip for the first time.
American Artist (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Held up behind, driven inside final 2f, ridden and kept on on outside final furlong, never reached leaders, 5th of 11, 3l behind Dark Red (8-11) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in May.
Passover 10-1 (9-4) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, never on terms, 5th of 7, 7 3/4l behind Dutch Uncle (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in May.
Shell Bay (USA) 10-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 12l behind Carnachy (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Vercingetorix (IRE) 40-1 (9-4) Steadied start, always in rear, 9th of 10, 11 1/2l behind Revolutionist (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in May.
Perfect Cracker 10-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to chase front pair inside final furlong, always held, 3rd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Dark Red (8-11) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in May.
Croquembouche (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra 1f out, 4th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Barsanti (8-12) at York 1m 4f hcp (2) gf in May.
Illusive (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Dance King (9-2) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp (3) gd in May.
Shakopee 9-4fav (9-3) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Interconnection (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in May.
Master Of Irony (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Treasury Notes (8-13) at Ripon 1m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
