held up in 6th, headway on outside over 1f out, chased leader and edged left inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 50 yards
chased leading pair until 5f out, stayed in 4th until ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up in 4th, went 3rd 5f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
switched left start, held up last, headway over 1f out, staying on same pace when not clear run inside final furlong
chased leader, ridden over 2f out, no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong, weakened well inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, stayed on until headed and not pace of winner final 50 yards
Black Coffee beat today's rival Stargazing here earlier this year and may not have finished winning yet, but Mountain Cat's latest third behind Eastern Gift at Kempton looks slightly better form. Both have leading claims today, but another chance is given to NEEDWOOD RIDGE. He just failed to catch African Cheetah here a week ago and today's extra furlong looks in his favour. Striker Torres has become disappointing and Strike Force looks too high in the weights.
Mountain Cat (IRE) 7-2fav (9-4) In touch in chasing group, went 2nd over 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed close home, 3rd of 13, hd behind Eastern Gift (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Black Coffee 11-2 (9-7) Slowly into stride, held up in touch, switched right well over 1f out, soon ridden and unable to quicken, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Strong Vigilance (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Strike Force 15-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 7l behind Kidlat (9-5) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Striker Torres (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Keen tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Rio Cobolo (9-4) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
Needwood Ridge 2-1fav (8-12) Chased winner, ridden 3f out, outpaced 2f out, rallied and stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind African Cheetah (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Waahej 13-2 (8-11) Prominent, challenged over 4f out, ridden 2f out, no extra final furlong, last of 6, 4 1/2l behind Strong Vigilance (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Stargazing (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 2l behind Forward Feline (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.