joined leader over 5f out, ridden, every chance over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, never near leaders
took keen hold, tracked leaders, hung right over 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed clear inside final furlong, eased near finish
chased leaders, lost place over 5f out, headway well over 1f out, no further progress
soon led, ridden, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always in rear
chased leaders 1f, mid-division, weakened over 2f out
unruly in stalls, mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
always behind
always prominent, ridden, hung left over 1f out, one pace
led early, prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 2f out
Free Angel, Spark Up and Buzzin'boyzee are three against the field in a competitive finale and the tentative vote is given to Spark Up. The selection was well beaten last time out but will appreciate the return to this shorter trip and with the race likely to be run to suit he looks the one to be on. Free Angel rates the main danger as he won well last time out when beating Golden Spectrum. However he may just need the run after a 228 day absence and for that reason he is opposed. Buzzin'boyzee is another that could go well on his latest third behind Down The Road but he is hard to win with. Ellens Princess looks weighted up to the hilt and in a race where the market may well tell all in a trappy affair for the winner we return to Spark Up.
Ellens Princess (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Always behind, last of 13, 23l behind Bollin Edward (9-12) at Thirsk 7f hcap (6) gd in May.
Ektishaaf 9-1 (9-2) Towards rear far side, ridden halfway, one pace and no impression, 8th of 16, 10l behind Joy And Pain (8-5) at Nottingham 6f app hcp (6) gf in May.
Steady Rain 50-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased, last of 11, 39l behind Alqaab (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gd in May.
Free Angel (USA) 5-2fav (9-3) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, switched right over 1f out, ran on to lead close home, won at W'hampton 7f banded stk (7) pol in Oct beating Golden Spectrum (8-13) by 2l, 12 ran.
Spark Up 7-1 (8-8) With leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 12, 13l behind Gallego (8-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 45-70 (6) pol in Mar.
Buzzin'boyzee (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Held up, headway from over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 18, 3/4l behind Just Down The Road (9-4) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (6) gf.
Sanctity 4-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 13th of 15, 7l behind Punjabi (9-4) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (6) gd.
Gypsy Royal (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Towards rear, never a factor, 14th of 15, 18l behind Confide (9-4) at Catterick 7f mdn 0-60 (6) gf.
